The Iranian government has turned down a proposal by Washington to incorporate nuclear program benchmarks into ongoing diplomatic discussions in Qatar. The US requested that Tehran provide expanded access for inspections of its nuclear facilities and dilute 400kg of uranium enriched to 60%, according to the editor of the Kayhan newspaper.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denied that the option of moving uranium to a neutral third party was specifically raised during the Doha negotiations, though he confirmed that Tehran’s requirements for a deal have been conveyed. The uranium in question, with some estimates placing the stockpile at 440kg, is considered by experts to be only a short technical step from weapons-grade material.