The US and Iran have been holding five rounds of nuclear talks starting April 12th, and are expected to meet again for negotiations aimed at reaching a new agreement. The two countries are at odds at the level of uranium enrichment.
On Saturday night, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araguchi reported on a day’s visit to Tehran by Foreign Minister Oman Al-Busaidi to present “elements of the US proposal to Iran.”
The top Iranian diplomat added that Iran will respond appropriately based on the principles, national interests and rights of the Iranian people towards the proposal.
The written US proposal is an attempt to resolve the issue targeted at consultation. The right to continue enriching uranium in Iranian soil reportedly cites US officials.
According to an Axios report, one idea raised by Oman and adopted by the US, calls for the establishment of a regional consortium to enrich uranium for civil nuclear purposes under surveillance by the International Atomic Energy Agency and U.S., according to US officials and sources with knowledge of the issue.
One big question is where the consortium’s uranium enrichment facility is located. The US wants them outside Iran, a familiar source said.
Another idea is that the US recognizes Iran’s right to enrich uranium, but Iran will halt its uranium enrichment completely.
Iran has consistently said it would not sign a transaction that would not allow enrichment, as it is an absolute right of the Iranian state.
The updated proposal was the result of fifth round negotiations in Rome a week ago, sources say.
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