(VOVWORLD) -During indirect talks in Oman last month US officials warned Iran would face serious consequences if it enriched uranium up to 90% purity, Middle Eastern media reported on Sunday.
 Centrifuges at the Natanz nuclear facility, Iran. Photo: AFP/VNA |
In early May US Middle East policy coordinator Brett McGurk was in Oman to discuss with host officials about the White House's response to Tehran's nuclear program. At the same time, Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kan traveled to Oman but did not have direct contact with US officials.
The two delegations were in separate locations with Omani officials serving as intermediaries to facilitate the exchange of messages, the media report said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) estimates that Iran currently possesses 114 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a level that is only a short step away from nuclear weapons (90% purity).
US officials have indirectly conveyed a message to the Iranian negotiators that Tehran would pay a “heavy price” if it chose to enrich uranium up to 90%, the level needed to produce a nuclear bomb.