CNN says U.S., Iran near interim nuclear deal

The United States and Iran are close to reaching an interim agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme that could be signed at the next round of talks, CNN reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources familiar with the discussions.

Negotiators believe a limited accord would provide a framework for further talks and set clear benchmarks for compliance, the network said.

One option under consideration involves creating an international consortium of Middle-East countries, operating under U.N. nuclear watchdog IAEA auspices, to handle uranium enrichment for Iran and place the programme under foreign supervision, according to the sources.

They cautioned that no final deal has been reached and that the draft does not address Iran’s ballistic-missile development.

The White House and U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has not publicly commented on the report.