Iran's 10-point plan in focus ahead of talks with US on Friday

(Sharecast News) - Talks between the US and Iran will kick off in Islamabad on Friday after Donald Trump said the US had received a 10-point plan from Tehran for ending the war that is "a workable basis on which to negotiate". The list of 10 points, published by Iranian state media, includes the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions on Iran; continued Iranian control over the strait of Hormuz; and recognition of Iran's right to enrich uranium.

It also includes US military withdrawal from the Middle East; an end to attacks on Iran and its allies, including Lebanon; payments of compensation to Iran; the release of frozen Iranian assets; and a UN security council resolution making any deal binding.

Trump said in his 11th hour Truth Social post on Tuesday that almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the US and Iran, but a two week period will allow the agreement to be finalised and consummated.

Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, said the demand for Washington to accept Iran's uranium enrichment program "seems like it will be a major sticking point, especially since Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the whole aim of the war was to eradicate Iran's nuclear capabilities".

She cautioned: "There is a risk that the deal could come undone in the coming days."

Patrick Munnelly at Tickmill Group said: "As talks between the two nations are set to commence on Friday, there's a risk of negotiations collapsing due to some of the contentious demands outlined in Iran's ten-point plan."