US demanded 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment from Iran – Axios

Axios, citing sources, has reported that during talks with Iran, the United States demanded that Tehran agree to a 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment and the removal of its existing stockpiles, while Tehran was only prepared to limit its programme for a much shorter period.

Source: European Pravda, citing Axios

Details: During negotiations held between the US and Iran over the weekend in Islamabad, Washington insisted that Tehran agree to a 20-year ban on uranium enrichment, alongside other restrictions. Iranian negotiators, however, indicated they were willing to accept a much shorter "single digit" timeframe.

According to sources, this became a key sticking point that derailed a potential agreement.

US negotiators also insisted that all enriched uranium be removed from Iran's territory. The Iranian side was prepared to agree to "downblending" (the opposite of enrichment) under monitoring, but not to handing over its uranium stockpiles.

Background: Attempts at negotiations between Iran and the US over the weekend failed. Following this, Washington announced plans to impose a blockade of Iranian ports, while Iranian officials warned that if such a step were taken, current fuel prices would be remembered with nostalgia.

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