US media sources reported on Friday that Iran proposed a three-stage agreement during talks last Saturday (April 25) in Muscat, Oman, that would limit uranium enrichment to the same levels agreed upon in the 2015 agreement from which US President Donald Trump withdrew in May 2018, in exchange for lifting US sanctions.

According to the International Iran News Agency, Iran's proposal would temporarily reduce uranium enrichment to 3.67%, the level set in the 2015 agreement (which Trump withdrew from during his first term). In exchange, the United States would allow Iran to access frozen financial assets and export its oil in the first phase, the agency reported. Uranium is considered weapons-grade when enriched to 90%.

In the second phase, the United States will lift more sanctions and prevent the return of UN sanctions, according to Iran International. In return, Iran will reportedly allow the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to resume inspections of nuclear sites, while implementing the Additional Protocol, which allows the agency to conduct surprise inspections of undeclared sites.

During Saturday's talks, Tehran proposed a three-stage agreement that would limit uranium enrichment to the same levels agreed upon in the faltering 2015 deal in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions, the opposition Iran International News Agency reported Thursday, citing three diplomatic sources.

According to Iran International, Iran's proposal would temporarily reduce uranium enrichment to 3.67%, the level set in the 2015 agreement that Trump withdrew from during his first term. In exchange, the United States would allow Iran to access frozen financial assets and export its oil in the first phase, the agency reported.

It's worth noting that uranium is considered weapons-grade when enriched to 90%. In the second phase, the United States will lift further sanctions and prevent the reimposition of UN sanctions, according to Iran International.

In return, Iran will reportedly allow the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency to resume inspections of nuclear sites, while implementing the Additional Protocol, which allows the agency to conduct surprise inspections of undeclared sites.

In the final phase, the report stated that Iran would transfer its highly enriched uranium stockpiles to a third country, the US Congress would ratify the nuclear agreement, and the Trump administration would lift primary and secondary sanctions.

According to the agency, White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff surprised the Iranian delegation by welcoming the offer made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi during their talks in Oman. This report comes as Witkoff and Araqchi are scheduled to hold a second round of talks in Rome on Saturday, April 19th and 25th. Witkoff indicated on Monday that the White House is seeking an agreement that limits, rather than destroys, Iran's nuclear program, with a minimum limit on uranium enrichment and inspections to ensure that Iran is not advancing toward potential weapons development.

However, the next day, he toughened his stance, saying that any agreement would require the Islamic Republic to "cease and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weapons programs."

Iran insists it is not seeking nuclear weapons, but since December it has increased its already substantial stockpile of 60% enriched uranium by about half and is on track to nearly quadruple its uranium ore production this year, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The New York Times reported on Thursday that President Donald Trump, who had threatened to bomb Iranian nuclear sites, had "backed off" such an attack planned by Israel next month. Trump, who instead opted to begin negotiations with Tehran, partially confirmed the report later Thursday, saying, "I wouldn't say 'backed off,' but I'm in no rush."