US mulling interim Iran deal framework to forestall Israeli attack - NYT

Washington is more open to agreeing an interim set of principles for a final nuclear deal with Tehran to break a diplomatic impasse in talks and forestall a potential Israeli attack on Iran, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.

The newspaper, which reported last month that US President Donald counseled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, cited sources familiar with the talks and Israeli thinking.

The United States has become more open to an interim declaration of common principles on a final deal to preempt such an attack, according to the paper.

Mediator Oman and the United States are also discussing creative ways to keep the talks from running aground over the main sticking point of Iranian enrichment.

These include a regional venture to produce fuel for nuclear powers that would involve Iran, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab states, with participation from the United States—though the details of such a plan remain unclear.

A fifth round of negotiations between the US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi wrapped up on Friday in Rome with little public sign of progress.

Washington has repeatedly insisted Iran commit to ending domestic enrichment of uranium in a move Tehran has called a non-starter.

Witkoff, the New York Times cited participants in the talks, has dropped an initial rejection of any interim set of understandings on an ultimate deal, in a formula which might fall afoul of Israel and Iran hawks within the US congress.

Israeli officials, according to the sources cited by New York Times, have informed US counterparts that Israel could launch an attack on Iranian nuclear sites even after a deal should it deem the agreement unsatisfactory.

Netanyahu has publicly insisted that Iran suspend all its nuclear activity, in demands which far outpace US insistence on ending enrichment.

The Israeli premier's office issued a statement on Wednesday in response to the article which said simply: "Fake news".

Iran sees domestic uranium enrichment as a national achievement enshrined by international covenants and has accused Washington of being beholden to maximalist Israeli goals.

Some military experts have doubted whether Israel alone can knock out Iranian nuclear capabilities by itself and see its chances of success as much improved with American participation.