U.S. Said to Seek Limited Nuclear Deal with Iran – Michael R. Gordon
(Daily Alert)

A senior Obama administration official said Wednesday that the U.S. was prepared to offer Iran limited relief from economic sanctions if Tehran agreed to halt its nuclear program temporarily and reversed part of it. “What we’re looking for now is a first phase, a first step, an initial understanding that stops Iran’s nuclear program from moving forward for the first time in decades and that potentially rolls part of it back….We’re looking for ways to put additional time on the clock.”

    The administration official said such steps would cover the level of enrichment, Iran’s stockpiles of nuclear material and the capabilities of Iran’s nuclear facilities as well as verification. A six-month suspension is one time-frame that has been discussed. “In response to a first step agreed to by Iran that halts their program from advancing further, we are prepared to offer limited, targeted and reversible sanctions relief.”  (New York Times)

See also Israel Opposes New Iran Proposal

Israel is urging its Western allies to reject a proposal to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for limited relief from economic sanctions. Israel “has learned that a proposal will be brought before the P5+1 in Geneva in which Iran will cease all enrichment at 20% and slow down work on the heavy water reactor in Arak, and will receive in return the easing of sanctions,” an Israeli official told AFPWednesday. “Israel thinks this is a bad deal and will oppose it strongly.” “Israel’s assessment is that the P5+1 is in a position of strength. The sanctions are hurting Iran, Iran is feeling the pressure and the P5+1 has the capability to compel Iran to end all enrichment and to stop construction of the facility in Arak.”  (AFP-Times of Israel