- The core gap in the negotiations is the release of the frozen Iranian funds
- The method and mechanism for releasing the frozen Iranian funds is a gap in the negotiations
- Iran informed Pakistan of its acceptance to transfer part of its uranium to a third country it agrees upon
- America still refuses Iran's request to unfreeze the frozen funds
Disagreements over the release of frozen Iranian funds continue to stand in the way of a final agreement, according to reports from an Al Arabiya correspondent citing informed sources.
The latest discussions have narrowed several major gaps that had previously stalled diplomacy, however, negotiators remain divided over how and when Iranian funds frozen abroad would be released.
According to the sources, the core dispute is no longer whether some of the assets will eventually be unfrozen, but rather the mechanism governing their release. Tehran is seeking guarantees that at least part of the funds become accessible early in the implementation process, while Washington continues to resist Iran's demand for immediate access before a comprehensive agreement is signed.
The frozen assets issue has emerged as the central sticking point in recent weeks, with several reports indicating that Iran is pushing for billions of dollars in restricted funds to be released as part of the first phase of any arrangement. US officials favor a phased approach tied to Iranian compliance with specific commitments.
The sources said also that Iran has informed Pakistan that it is prepared to transfer part of its enriched uranium stockpile to a mutually agreed third country. Such a move would address one of Washington's longstanding concerns regarding Iran's nuclear inventory and could provide negotiators with a pathway toward a broader nuclear deal.
The question of what happens to Iran's enriched uranium has been one of the most sensitive aspects of the talks. Previous proposals discussed by mediators have included transferring material abroad, diluting stockpiles, or placing them under international supervision as part of a phased settlement.
Despite the reported flexibility from Tehran on uranium transfers, US officials have yet to accept Iran's demand for the immediate unfreezing of assets.
