In an attempt to revive the international nuclear deal with Iran, Russia has discussed a possible interim agreement with Iran in recent weeks that would involve limited sanctions relief in return for reimposing some restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program, according to two U.S. officials, one Congressional official, one former U.S. official and four other people familiar with the discussions.

Sources claim that the U.S. knows about Russia’s offer to Iran. This comes at a time when concern rises within the Biden Administration that there is not enough time for negotiations between Iran and other world powers to ensure a complete return to normalcy. the 2015 nuclear dealThe Join Comprehensive Plan of Action (or JCPOA) is the name of this agreement. Trump removed the U.S. government from the 2018 deal, and Iran seems closer than ever to obtaining nuclear weapons manufacturing capability.

According to people and officials familiar with these discussions, Russia has been in talks with Iran regarding an interim deal. But senior Biden officials disassociated the U.S.

Iran has so far rejected the proposal presented by Russia, the officials and other people familiar with the discussions said. Iran Permanent Mission at the United Nations (Iran Permanent Mission) stated on Friday that Tehran doesn’t want any interim deal and did not discuss details about the Russian proposal.

A review could be initiated by Congress if there is a new, separate agreement to the JCPOA.

According to sources, this would mean that if there was an agreement on an interim Russian offer, it would be seen by the U.S. government and the other countries as the first step towards a complete return to 2015 accord and not as an additional or distinct agreement.

Senior officials from the Biden Administration stated that an interim arrangement isn’t under discussion.

The official stated that while we can’t speak about any talks between Russia and Iran but that at the moment, we know that no interim agreement is being seriously considered. We will not comment in the media on claims or make any specific statements about an interim agreement. Our timeline is not based on the passage of time but a technical evaluation of Iran’s progress in nuclear technology.

Russian officials did not respond immediately to our request for comment.

Antony Blinken (Secretary of State) urged Russia on Friday to exercise its influence in Iran. After meeting Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, Blinken stated that Iran’s continuing nuclear advancements will render it impracticable to return to JCPOA in the coming weeks. However, there is still time to reach a settlement.

Russia shares our urgency and the need to find a way to come back to mutual compliance within the coming weeks. We hope Russia will leverage the influence and relationships it already has with Iran in order to convey that urgency to Iran.”

According to sources, Iran was presented with a draft interim agreement. Tehran would have to stop enriching up to 60 percent of uranium and get rid its stockpile. Russia could also export it. Sources said that the Iranian government would get access to frozen oil revenues in foreign accounts in exchange for billions of dollar. This includes South Korea.

According to sources, the discussions between Russia, Iran took place in the background of Vienna’s formal talks between Iran and the world powers. These are aimed at all the parties to the 2015 nuclear agreement, as stated by two U.S officials and one Congressional official. 

Iran insisting that they will not have direct talks has complicated negotiations at Vienna. Instead, Americans must communicate via European diplomats with Iranian counterparts. Biden has stated that Iran has been slowing down discussions and has requested Tehran to reconsider.

According to a senior official in the administration, “We are open to speaking directly with Iran and think it would be more fruitful, but Iran has not yet agreed.”