U.S. Would Let Iran Resume Nuclear Work

The U.S. and Iran are working on a deal that would permit Tehran to eventually continue its nuclear program. The possible agreement would necessitate that Iran freeze its program at first, but it would then be permitted to step up development. “The idea would be to reward Iran for good behavior over the last years of any agreement,” said an AP report on the deal. The U.S. initially wanted Iran to halt its nuclear development for as long as 20 years, while Iran has pushed for 10 years or less. Neither Washington nor Tehran has formally agreed to anything yet, but officials from both sides are meeting for the third consecutive day. There is a deadline at the end of March to establish a “framework agreement,” as the AP describes it.