The US and Iran are reportedly negotiating over a three-page plan to end the war between the two countries, with one element under discussion being that Washington would release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for Tehran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium.
According to Axios, the supposed negotiation point was cited by two US officials and two additional sources briefed on the talks.
However, it is also worth noting that US President Donald Trump later wrote on Truth Social that 'no money will change hands,' though he didn't specifically address the idea of unblocking Iranian funds.
The US-Iran deal has seen steady progress in talks between the US and Iran this week, following the failed round of negotiations in Islamabad last weekend.
Trump said on Thursday that US and Iranian negotiators would likely meet over the weekend for a second round of talks to try to seal the deal.
Pakistan is mediating the negotiations, with behind-the-scenes support from Egypt and Turkey.
A top priority for the Trump administration is ensuring Iran can't access the stockpile of nearly 2,000 kilograms of enriched uranium buried in its underground nuclear facilities, particularly the 450 kilograms enriched to 60 per cent purity.
Washington and Tehran are negotiating over what will happen to the stockpile and how much of Iran's assets will be unfrozen.
