Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Iran has received parts of a new US proposal for a possible nuclear deal. The proposal came through Oman, which is acting as a mediator after five rounds of talks.
The same day, a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran has increased its production of highly enriched uranium, which is close to the level needed for nuclear weapons.
The IAEA report said Iran now has 408.6 kg of uranium enriched up to 60%, which is a major concern. Only countries with nuclear weapons usually produce uranium at this level. Iran denies it is trying to build a nuclear bomb.
The IAEA also said that Iran’s cooperation has been less than satisfactory, especially in explaining uranium found at secret locations. Iran was accused of cleaning up those sites before inspectors arrived.
Iran responded by blaming Israel, saying that the IAEA report used false and misleading information given by the Israeli government.
The US had left the 2015 nuclear deal under Donald Trump. The agreement had given Iran sanctions relief in exchange for limiting its nuclear program.