Demonstrators hold large “Lion and Sun” flags of pre-revolutionary Iran during the “March for a Free Iran” held by the British Iran Freedom Committee in London, England, on January 18, 2026.
Toby Melville | Reuters
Iran and the United States differ over the scope and mechanism for lifting sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbing its nuclear program, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday, adding that new talks were planned for early March.
The official said the Iranian government could seriously consider exporting some of its highly enriched uranium (HEU) stockpile to dilute the purity of HEU, combined with a regional consortium for uranium enrichment, but in return Iran’s right to “peaceful nuclear enrichment” would need to be recognized.
“Negotiations are continuing and there is a possibility that a tentative agreement could be reached,” the official said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi said on Friday he expected a counter-proposal would be ready within days after this week’s nuclear talks with the United States, while US President Donald Trump said he was considering a limited military strike.
The official said that while the Iranian government has no intention of handing over control of its oil and mineral resources, American companies could always participate in Iranian oil and gas fields as contractors.
–This is a developing story. Please check back for more information.
