Iran has agreed not to stockpile enriched uranium in talks with the United States, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi said Friday, describing the agreement as a "breakthrough."
The U.S.-Iran nuclear talks have made "substantial progress" toward a deal which "is within our reach", said Albusaidi, a major mediator, in an interview.
Noting that Iran has agreed to "never, ever have nuclear material that will create a bomb," the Omani foreign minister called it a "big achievement."
Iran's existing stockpiles of enriched uranium would be "blended to the lowest level possible" and "converted into fuel, and that fuel will be irreversible," said Albusaidi.
Iran is willing to grant inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency "full access" to its nuclear sites in order to verify the terms of the deal, he said.
He added that the two sides are demonstrating greater seriousness in seeking a negotiated solution to avoid potential U.S. military strikes against Iran.
The Iranian and U.S. delegations wrapped up their two-day third round of nuclear talks in Geneva on Friday under the mediation of Oman.
Technical reviews will be held in Vienna next Monday.
Meanwhile, Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin said on Friday in a post on X that "the IDF (The Israeli Defense Forces) is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and is alert."
Noting that the IDF is "aware of the sense of uncertainty and tension prevailing in the public in light of regional developments," Defrin said the military is ready to protect the civilians.
Currently "there is no change in the instructions" for the safety of the people, he said, adding that the IDF will inform the public in time if there will be one.
According to local media reports, Israel is preparing for the possibility that negotiations between the United States and Iran could collapse and may coordinate with the U.S. forces to launch military strikes against Iran if necessary.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said that if Iran were to attack Israel in response to any U.S. military action, it would face retaliation from Israel.
Iran agrees to zero enriched uranium stockpiling: Omani FM
Iran agrees to zero enriched uranium stockpiling: Omani FM
Iran agrees to zero enriched uranium stockpiling: Omani FM
