US reportedly mulling possible interim nuclear deal with Iran

3 April 2023, 9:34 pm

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A person involved with security at the Uranium Conversion Facility just outside the city of Isfahan, Iran, on March 30, 2005. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

The US reportedly says it considering resuming talks with Iran aimed at reaching an interim deal over Tehran’s nuclear program, as the Islamic Republic races ahead with enrichment activity with talks on restoring the 2015 JCPOA stalled.

US officials informed counterparts in Israel, France, the UK, and Germany that they were mulling proposing a deal in which Tehran would curb nuclear enrichment above 60 percent purity, a step nearing weapons-grade, in exchange for sanctions relief, the Axios and Walla news websites report.

Talks on the issue began in January and the allies were informed in February, according to the reports, which cite 10 sources, including Israeli and Western diplomats.

Officials wait for a meeting with diplomats from P5+1, the European Union and Iran at the Beau Rivage Palace Hotel March 31, 2015 in Lausanne, France. (AFP/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/POOL)

The reports note that Iran knows about the US’s position — and mediators may have delivered a draft agreement — but is not on board, saying they only want a full agreement.

Talks between Iran and the US to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action fell apart last year, after months of halting progress nearly clinched an agreement. Israel opposed a resumption of the deal.

Iran and the P5+1 reached a number of interim deals to freeze enrichment and suspend sanctions in the years leading up to the 2015 JCPOA.

The White House tells the news sites that it “refuses to comment on second-hand rumors.” The National Security Council says US President Joe Biden is committed to stopping Iran and “and we still believe diplomacy is the best way to achieve that objective.”