Axios: Washington has offered Tehran to release frozen Iranian assets worth $20 billion in exchange for enriched uranium

Washington and Tehran are discussing a three-page plan to end the war that would involve the US releasing $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets in exchange for Iranian enriched uranium, sources told Axios.

Bargaining on the issue of exchanging uranium for frozen assets has been going on for some time, it follows from the article. But now the positions of the parties have become closer. Previously, the US was only willing to unfreeze $6 billion in assets so Iran could buy food, medicine and other humanitarian goods. Iran demanded $27 billion.

According to one of the publication's sources, the US offered an amount of $20 billion. Another source said the idea of ​​exchanging assets for uranium was only “one of many options being discussed” for ending the war.

Previously, Washington also demanded that Tehran transfer all its nuclear material to the United States, but the Iranian side only agreed to dilute it and reduce the percentage of uranium enrichment in the country.

The compromise agreement currently under consideration would see some of the highly enriched uranium sent to a third country and some diluted in Iran under international control.

The plan also includes a voluntary moratorium on uranium enrichment in Iran. According to it, Iran will be allowed to continue its nuclear research program and production of medical isotopes for a set period of time, but only in above-ground facilities.

Washington demanded a 20-year moratorium, Tehran insisted on a five-year one. On this point, mediators are still trying to bridge the gap between the parties' positions.

The plan also mentions the Strait of Hormuz, but in what context, Axios does not specify. According to the publication's sources, serious disagreements still remain on this issue. It is also unclear whether the document addresses Iran's ballistic missiles and its support for regional pro-Iranian groups.

• Donald Trump said the day before that American and Iranian negotiators would most likely meet on April 18-19 for a second round of negotiations to end the war. According to Axios, the meeting will take place in Islamabad on April 19.
• The first round of negotiations between representatives of Washington and Tehran took place on April 11-12 and ended in nothing.