Iran has denied accepting a pause in uranium enrichment in return for relief from U.S. sanctions, Iranian media Press TV stated. The denial contradicts an account by Saudi broadcaster Al Hadath that mediators had secured such an arrangement.
Previously, Al Hadath reported that Iran has agreed to halt the enrichment in exchange for reduced sanctions. Its account, attributed to sources in Pakistan, credited intermediaries participating in the Iran-U.S. negotiations with helping bring about the reported agreement.
An Iranian official cited by Press TV said Tehran’s nuclear position remained unchanged and that the subject was not under discussion. The official accused Washington of using the nuclear question to distract attention from its difficulties in the Strait of Hormuz.
Disagreement over the agenda remains a barrier between Washington and Tehran, alongside differences over the terms of any potential settlement. Iran wants the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. naval blockade and sanctions addressed first. Meanwhile, the White House is seeking commitments on Iranian nuclear activities before moving to other concessions.
Citing U.S. officials, Axios reported that President Donald Trump was willing to ease sanctions and release frozen Iranian funds if Tehran took concrete action on its nuclear program. That account described the administration as requiring explicit nuclear commitments from Iran before accepting wider concessions.
Tehran has previously put forward a proposal concerning its uranium holdings. The National reported last week that Iran had offered to hand its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium to a third party. The transfer was included in a proposed plan lasting seven days that aimed to end the Strait of Hormuz standoff.
Pakistan and Qatar are working to restart diplomatic engagement between the governments despite their unresolved differences. As part of those efforts, Qatari mediators are expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. representatives separately in New York.
