Amid efforts to secure a breakthrough in negotiations with Iran, US President Donald Trump's administration has reportedly begun consulting America's top nuclear specialists, signalling that talks between Washington and Tehran may be entering a decisive phase.
According to an Axios report, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner travelled to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, this week to meet technical experts who could play a key role if ongoing negotiations with Iran advance toward a formal agreement.
The reported visit comes as the White House seeks to finalise a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tehran that could help end the current conflict and pave the way for broader nuclear discussions.
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Oak Ridge experts brought into negotiations
Sources cited by Axios said the administration has assembled a team of nearly 100 specialists who could participate in future nuclear negotiations and implementation efforts if a preliminary agreement is reached.
The experts are based at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 National Security Complex, facilities known for their expertise in uranium processing, centrifuge technology and nuclear material management.
According to US officials quoted in the report, the Oak Ridge meeting does not guarantee that an agreement will be reached. However, it suggests that Washington is preparing for the possibility of a deal and wants technical teams ready if negotiations move forward. One official described the discussions as evidence that talks have entered a "very serious phase."
Key differences remain between Washington and Tehran
Despite the apparent signs of progress, there are still some controversial aspects separating the two parties.
ANI For instance, according to the report, Washington wants to include a 60-day period when Iran should reduce its enriched uranium supplies. Meanwhile, according to the report, the Iranian side wants to secure a more extended 90-day period.
There is also a controversy over the frozen Iranian assets issue. While Washington insists that the money be released only when the agreement enters into force and begins to be implemented, the Iranians insist on having at least some of their money released as a token of goodwill. All this has led to the current deadlock between the two sides.
Experts may play a decisive role in the final agreement
If the two sides reach an agreement, then technical experts would need to work out all the procedures concerning Iran's nuclear program, namely, enriched uranium supplies and methods of verification.
Some experts from Oak Ridge reportedly had considerable experience in dealing with similar cases, such as the handling of nuclear materials seized in Kazakhstan, Libya, and Venezuela. It was noted that some of the experts had accompanying US negotiators during the talks held in Oman prior to the recent conflict.
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Ceasefire framework under discussion
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the US and Iran have already discussed a 60-day memorandum that would extend the ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, allow Iran to resume oil exports and launch detailed negotiations over uranium enrichment limits.
However, both sides are still seeking amendments to the proposed text. Neither the White House nor the National Nuclear Security Administration has publicly commented on the reported Oak Ridge meeting.
For now, the visit appears to underscore Washington's effort to prepare for every scenario as negotiations with Tehran continue behind closed doors.
