US mulls releasing $20b in frozen Iranian assets in lieu of its enriched uranium stockpile: report

The United States is considering releasing $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets in exchange for Iran relinquishing its stockpile of enriched uranium, the Axios news outlet reported on Friday, citing US officials. The report said Washington and Tehran are in talks over a three-page framework aimed at ending the conflict that began on February 28. Discussions have made consistent progress this week, though “significant gaps remain”, the report said. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the US is “very close” to making a deal with Iran, as a two-week ceasefire between the two countries nears its expiration on April 22. The report mentioned that a top priority for the Trump administration is ensuring Iran cannot access the stockpile of nearly 2,000 kilogrammes of enriched uranium buried in its underground nuclear facilities, in particular the 450kg enriched to 60% purity. Iran, on the other hand, is seeking financial relief, according to the report. Negotiators are still working out how much of Iran’s frozen assets would be released and what would happen to its nuclear material. There is also disagreement over the handling of Iran’s uranium stockpile. The US has proposed transferring all of it out of Iran, while Iran has suggested diluting it domestically. A compromise now being considered would involve sending part of the highly enriched uranium to a third country and diluting the rest within Iran under international supervision. The three-page draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) also includes a voluntary pause on Iran’s uranium enrichment activities. The US has proposed a 20-year freeze, while Iran has countered with a five-year freeze, leaving negotiators to bridge the gap. Read More: Trump says Iran war should end 'soon', Hezbollah should support truce The agreement would allow Iran to maintain nuclear research reactors for producing medical isotopes, provided all facilities are above ground and existing underground sites remain out of commission. Additional elements of the MoU reportedly address the Strait of Hormuz, though disagreements persist. Asked about the report, the White House told Anadolu that "Only announcements from President Trump or the White House — not anonymous sources — should be taken as fact." "Productive conversations with Iran continue, but we will not negotiate via the press," spokesperson Anna Kelly said. Meanwhile, Trump maintained that Washington will “get” Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, which he has been calling 'dust', without giving Tehran any funds. "The USA will get all nuclear 'dust,' created by our great B2 Bombers — no money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form," he said on his Truth Social platform, referring to the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites that he ordered in June 2025. pic.twitter.com/5icYr3IqkT — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 17, 2026 A day ago, Trump said that another round of direct US-Iran negotiations could transpire this weekend after an initial round of marathon talks failed to reach an agreement to permanently end the war last weekend. A two-week ceasefire mediated by Pakistan is slated to expire early next week. Axios reported that the next round of talks is expected to take place on Sunday in Islamabad.