Now, the current U.S.-Iranian nuclear talks are increasingly revolving around one important issue in particular: the enriched uranium stockpile Tehran is in possession of. Diplomatic negotiations are continuing, and uranium is turning out to be the biggest sticking point between Washington and Tehran in the delicate talks.
The U.S. is seeking for Iran to either surrender its entire stockpile of enriched uranium or remove it and destroy it under international watch, reports said. This issue has been at the forefront of the current talks to ease tensions and eventually forge a larger peace agreement between the two nations.
An informal document now being considered contains provisions of a possible 60-day ceasefire extension, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and other discussions related to Iran’s nuclear programme. But as yet, no definitive decision has been made.
Western media reports indicate that, in his recent meeting with Trump, Iran’s foreign minister promised to either hand over enriched uranium “immediately” to the U.S. or destroy it at its current site. The president of Iran has repeatedly said that Tehran never wants to get even a “gram” of highly enriched uranium and warned about the dangers of Iran nearing the threshold of nuclear weapons.
In addition, the US president has stressed the importance of firm international monitoring of Iran’s nuclear assets in any future nuclear deal. Clearly, Tehran’s ability to control its uranium stocks is what is considered critical for Washington to maintain regional stability and stop nuclear escalation, according to reports.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials have admitted that the talks have seen “some progress,” but still insisted that a final deal is not close. The sensitive issue of sanctions relief, as well as restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear uses, is one of the areas Tehran has said have not been resolved.
The current draft of the framework, as detailed in U.S. media reports, is only preliminary and does not cover many important aspects that are still to be negotiated. Talks are still underway as eyebrows rise along the globe over Iran’s nuclear programme and its potential implications for Middle East-wide stability.
The talks are tensely watched around the world as any success or failure may define the geopolitical and oil markets and the regional security landscape.