Sources: US and Iran lower their ambitions for a comprehensive peace agreement and instead seek a temporary agreement.

Two Iranian sources said that US and Iranian negotiators have lowered their ambitions for a comprehensive peace agreement, instead seeking a temporary memorandum to avoid a renewed conflict. Following the failure of talks in Islamabad last weekend, deep differences between the two sides over their nuclear programs (such as the fate of their enriched uranium stockpile and the deadline for halting nuclear activities) continue to hinder progress. A senior Iranian official said the two sides have narrowed their differences on issues such as the management of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran hopes the memorandum will include the unfreezing of some US funds in exchange for allowing more ships to pass through the strait. A source briefed in Tehran said that under Iran's proposal, if a lasting agreement is reached, ships would be able to pass freely through the Omani side of the strait without being attacked. However, deeper differences remain, including the fate of their highly enriched uranium stockpile and the deadline for halting nuclear activities. Iranian sources said that if a memorandum on halting the conflict is reached, the two sides are expected to have 60 days to negotiate a final agreement, which will require the involvement of experts and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). (Reuters)