US and Iran quietly engage in talks but breakthrough proves elusive

The United States and Iran are engaged in discreet negotiations in New York to find common ground and potentially conclude a full-scale agreement, in a bid to end a seven-month conflict, according to sources familiar with the matter. President Donald Trump has previously stated he provided no concessions to Iran in return for ending the war, contradicting reports from Axios and CNN that he offered Iranian assets as part of a deal contingent on Iran's progress on nuclear issues.

Trump has emphasized ending Tehran's nuclear program, preventing it from attacking neighboring countries and facilitating internal change in Iran as primary goals. Iran maintains a civilian nuclear program but denies ambitions to develop atomic weapons. Iranian sources suggest that Tehran may have softened its stance on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear program, potentially in exchange for a US blockade relaxation and the release of frozen funds.

Iran proposed transferring its 60% enriched uranium to a third country as part of a seven-day diplomatic plan to resolve the Strait of Hormuz standoff, with the transfer expected to be completed on the sixth day if the steps are followed. The plan, presented to the US in New York, includes a phased approach to dilute and transfer the enriched uranium through UN-recognized mechanisms.

US President Trump, however, desires direct receipt of the uranium and a definitive timeframe for the transfer. The conflict, leading to thousands of deaths, energy supply disruptions, and global inflation, has also extended to the neighboring region, with Iran and its allies carrying out attacks.