File photo
Iran has agreed in principle to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of a proposed agreement with the United States aimed at ending the ongoing conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by The New York Times.Citing two US officials, the report said Tehran has made a general commitment to relinquish the uranium stockpile, though the exact mechanism for doing so will be negotiated later during formal nuclear talks.The issue of Iran’s enriched uranium reserves has been one of Washington’s key demands in discussions over ending the war.Iran had initially resisted including the uranium issue in the first phase of the agreement and wanted it deferred to later negotiations. However, US negotiators reportedly conveyed through intermediaries that Washington would walk away from talks and resume military operations if there was no initial commitment from Tehran.
US weighed military options over uranium stockpile
The report said military planners had recently developed options for President Donald Trump to target Iran’s uranium stockpile, most of which is believed to be stored underground at the Isfahan nuclear facility. Among the options discussed were bunker-busting strikes and even a possible joint US-Israeli commando raid, though the latter was never approved. Iran is believed to possess around 970 pounds of uranium enriched to 60 per cent, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Israeli officials have claimed the stockpile could potentially be sufficient for multiple nuclear weapons if further enriched.One possible option under discussion could involve Iran handing over the stockpile to Russia, similar to arrangements made under the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated during former US President Barack Obama’s administration.Another possibility could involve converting the uranium to a lower enrichment level unsuitable for weapons use.
Trump says deal ‘largely negotiated’
The development comes amid growing optimism around a possible breakthrough in the Iran-US talks. Earlier, President Trump said a deal to end the war had been “largely negotiated”.Trump said “final aspects and details” were still under discussion and described the proposed arrangement as a “Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE”.The draft framework being discussed could include a formal declaration ending the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and launching fresh negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme lasting between 30 and 60 days.Iran, however, has maintained that nuclear issues are not currently part of the immediate negotiations.Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described the proposed understanding as a “framework agreement” for broader talks in the future, reported news agency AP.
Ceasefire remains fragile amid ongoing tensions
The discussions are taking place after months of conflict that began following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February.While a ceasefire has largely held since April, tensions remain high, with both sides continuing to warn of possible renewed military action if negotiations collapse.The Strait of Hormuz remains a major issue in the negotiations, with the waterway’s disruption continuing to affect global oil and energy supplies.Iran has also continued to demand the lifting of sanctions and access to frozen assets as part of any long-term settlement.
