Iran ‘will surrender uranium stockpile’ and US will unfreeze assets in peace deal
Iran has agreed to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of a deal to end the war, according to US sources.
The deal includes an “apparent commitment” to giving up the uranium, but a concrete plan of how this would be done is expected to be established in further rounds of talks, two US officials told The New York Times.
Reports said the deal would also involve a 60-day ceasefire extension, during which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, and Iran would be able to sell oil freely.
Amid reports that the deal could be announced soon, US President Donald Trump appeared to play down the prospect, saying the blockade would remain in place until a final agreement to end Iran’s nuclear weapon programme was reached.
Iran’s nuclear programme has been a sticking point in negotiations since the US and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire in April, and agreeing to give up its uranium would represent a major concession from the Islamic Republic.
However, Iran’s Tasnim news agency said that Tehran was yet to accept any actions on its nuclear programme, adding to the uncertainty over the deal.
The emerging agreement would also reopen the Strait of Hormuz without tolls during a 60-day ceasefire and allow Iran to resume unrestricted oil sales, according to a report by Axios citing a US official.
Iran would agree to clear the mines it has deployed in the waterway. Meanwhile, Washington would lift its blockade on Iranian ports and hand out sanctions waivers on Iranian oil.
In return, Iran would be required to commit never to pursue nuclear weapons and to give up its stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium, Axios wrote.
US forces mobilised in recent months will remain in the region for 60 days, withdrawing only when the final deal has taken shape.
Billions of dollars worth of frozen Iranian assets held overseas would also be released as part of the deal, but this would only take place when Tehran agreed to a final nuclear agreement.
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