The Biden administration discussed with its European and Israeli partners in recent weeks a proposal for an interim agreement with Iran that would include some sanctions relief in exchange for Tehran freezing parts of its nuclear program, according to Israeli officials, Western diplomats, and US experts with knowledge of the proposal.
In February, the Biden administration briefed its Israeli and European allies about its new approach to dealing with the Iranian nuclear program, said Israeli sources.
The officials said the proposal included some sanctions relief if Iran froze some of its nuclear activities, mainly halting enriching uranium at 60% purity, Axios reported Monday.
An Israeli official and a Western diplomat said the Iranians are aware of the US discussions but have so far rejected the idea.
Israeli officials recently told Washington and several European countries that Iran could trigger an Israeli military strike if it enriches uranium above the 60% level.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen discussed with his French counterpart Catherine Colonna on Monday “measures to contain the Iranian nuclear program”.
“Israel and France see eye to eye on the danger of a nuclear Iran,” Cohen tweeted.
“Only determined and coordinated action by the West will lead to sanctions that will tighten the noose around the neck of the rule of terror in Tehran,” he added.
Several rounds of talks were held in Vienna between Iran and the world powers, and they failed to reach an agreement to resume the nuclear deal signed in 2015.
