Iran and the United States are currently engaged in negotiations regarding a potential moratorium on uranium enrichment, with the duration of the agreement potentially spanning 12 years. According to reports from the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing sources from the Axios portal, the discussions aim to address long-standing concerns over Tehran's nuclear program.
Sources indicate that initial proposals varied significantly, with Iran suggesting a five-year moratorium while the United States pushed for a 20-year term. Other insiders suggest that a compromise of 15 years is also under consideration. Furthermore, Washington is seeking a provision that would automatically extend the moratorium should Iran violate any terms of the agreement. Once the moratorium expires, the U.S. is reportedly prepared to allow Tehran to resume uranium enrichment up to the 3.67% level, a threshold originally established under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
An unnamed U.S. official noted that the parties are also discussing a clause that would prohibit Iran from operating underground nuclear facilities. Additionally, Tehran may commit to granting United Nations inspectors full access to its sites, including snap inspections. Another critical point of negotiation involves the removal of highly enriched uranium from Iran, with sources claiming the radioactive materials could be transported to the United States. This potential deal comes at a pivotal time as US President Donald Trump continues to navigate complex diplomatic relations in the Middle East, maintaining the firm stance established during his previous term when he initially withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018.
The JCPOA was originally signed in 2015 by Iran, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Russia, the United States, and France to resolve the crisis sparked by Western allegations regarding Tehran's nuclear weapons development. However, after US President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal from the deal and reinstated sanctions, Iran began reducing its commitments in 2020. This included enriching uranium beyond the 3.67% limit, stockpiling more than 300 kg of radioactive material, and restricting the access of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to its nuclear facilities.
