The United States is reportedly considering allowing Iran access to $20bn in frozen assets in exchange for more than 900 pounds of its enriched uranium, according to Axios, citing unnamed US officials and sources.
The proposal aims to prevent Iran from accessing approximately 4,400 pounds of enriched uranium, including 992 pounds enriched to 60 percent purity, buried at its nuclear facilities. If implemented, it would mark a significant step toward President Donald Trump's goal of ensuring Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly declined to confirm the report but said that “productive conversations” with Iran continue. She added that only official announcements should be taken as fact.
President Trump appeared to allude to a similar deal in a Truth Social post, stating that the US would get all nuclear “dust” created by B2 bombers, but insisted that “no money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form.” This contradicted reports of a financial exchange.
The US and Iran have reportedly discussed shipping some highly enriched uranium to a third country or blending it down under international monitoring. It remains unclear which frozen assets would be released; the US initially offered $6bn for humanitarian reasons, while Iran demanded $27bn.
Further talks between US, Israeli and Iranian officials may occur in Islamabad in the coming days, though no official meetings have been announced.
