The United States and Iran have honed in on four key points of negotiation during talks to permanently end the fighting that began with a joint US-Israeli offensive back in February, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.

While various key issues being discussed by the US and Iran during the Pakistan-mediated talks have already been well documented, the report, citing US officials and diplomats familiar with the matter, suggested that the sides are much closer to clinching a deal than previously suggested.

According to the newspaper, the deal will include agreements on an extended suspension of uranium enrichment by Iran; the dilution of Tehran’s existing stockpile of enriched uranium; the dismantling of Iranian nuclear sites; and the right for international nuclear watchdogs to conduct snap inspections in the Islamic Republic.

Regarding the matter of suspending uranium enrichment, US officials were quoted saying that Washington wants Iran to halt its enrichment activities for 20 years. In return, they said Iran offered to stop enrichment for 10 years. The US officials said they expect the sides to ultimately reach a compromise of 15 years, though the report noted it was unclear if President Donald Trump would be okay with that after recently saying “it’s gotta be a real 20 years.”

As for Iran’s existing enriched uranium stockpiles, the issue appeared to hit a bump last month, when Iran’s supreme leader issued a directive that the near-weapons-grade uranium should not be sent abroad.

Israeli officials told........

© The Times of Israel