US and Iran Offer Conflicting Versions of a Nuclear Deal Framework

A major gap has emerged between Tehran’s and Washington’s accounts of a draft memorandum of understanding taking shape between them. Iran says the United States agreed to release $25 billion in frozen assets and allow enriched uranium to be diluted inside Iran, while an American source says the nuclear program will be dismantled and no money will be released before Tehran fulfills its obligations.

According to an Iranian official quoted by Reuters on Sunday, the draft includes a U.S. commitment to free $25 billion from Iran’s frozen assets. Tehran says the funds would come through direct cash payments, cooperation with regional states, and financial credit lines. It also claims Washington would grant a temporary oil sanctions waiver, letting Iran resume sales and collect the proceeds, and would avoid new sanctions until a final deal is signed. After that, U.S. and international sanctions would be lifted gradually.

On the nuclear issue, Iran’s version says it would pledge not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons and, for now, not to increase enrichment or expand nuclear facilities. It also says Washington would allow highly enriched uranium stockpiles to be diluted inside Iran rather than sent abroad. The exact mechanism would be worked out during 60 days of talks after the memorandum is signed.

A senior Trump administration official offered a very different picture, saying the memorandum is meant to lead to the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, the shutdown of its facilities, and the destruction of highly enriched uranium inside Iran before it leaves the country. The U.S. side says an inspection regime would be created to ensure the deal can be enforced over time, and that Iran would receive no money at signature or during the talks. Sanctions relief and cash releases would come in stages, only after Tehran proves compliance. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei insisted the release of frozen assets is an “integral part” of the agreement, while Iran continues to say it keeps the right to enrich uranium and opposes moving the stockpile out of the country. The unresolved questions remain whether enrichment would be dismantled or merely frozen, whether the uranium would stay in Iran after dilution, and when the billions would actually be released.