Iran suggests it could dilute highly enriched uranium for sanctions relief

"Mohammad Eslami made the comments to reporters on Monday, saying the prospects of Iran diluting its 60-percent-enriched uranium, a threshold close to weapons grade, would hinge on whether all sanctions would be lifted in return, according to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency. Eslami did not specify whether Iran expected the removal of all sanctions or specifically those imposed by the US."

"Diluting uranium means mixing it with blend material to reduce its enrichment level. According to the United Nations nuclear watchdog, Iran is the only state without nuclear weapons enriching uranium to 60 percent. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for Iran to be subject to a total ban on enrichment, a condition unacceptable to Tehran and far less favourable than a now-defunct nuclear agreement reached with world powers in 2015. Iran maintains it has a right to a civilian nuclear programme under the provisions of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to which it and 190 other countries are signatories."

"Eslami made his comments on uranium enrichment as the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, prepares to head on Tuesday to Oman, which has been hosting mediated negotiations between the US and Iran. Al Jazeera's Ali Hashem, reporting from Tehran, said Larijani, one of the most senior officials in Iran's government, is likely to convey messages related to the ongoing talks. Trump said talks with Iran would continue this week."

Tehran is open to diluting its 60-percent-enriched uranium contingent on the lifting of sanctions. Dilution entails mixing the uranium with blend material to lower its enrichment level. The 60-percent enrichment level is close to weapons grade, and Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state enriching to that level, according to the UN watchdog. The United States has demanded a total enrichment ban, which Tehran views as unacceptable and more restrictive than the 2015 deal. Iran asserts a right to a civilian nuclear programme under the NPT. Oman has hosted mediated US–Iran negotiations with senior Iranian officials engaging in talks, while both sides have given mixed signals about progress and deep mutual mistrust remains an obstacle to agreement.

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