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U.S. officials are weighing two primary “face-saving” options for Iran’s disposal of its highly enriched uranium as negotiations over a broader nuclear and regional framework remain unresolved, the New York Post reported.

The talks are focused on bridging a core divide in which Washington is demanding that Iran fully neutralize weapons-usable material while Tehran seeks to avoid any outcome that appears to surrender sovereignty.

One option under consideration would require Iran to transfer its enriched uranium to a third country for processing or elimination, the Post reported, citing officials familiar with the discussions.

Potential destinations discussed include Russia, China, Turkey, and Pakistan, though no agreement has been reached and the idea remains under review.

A second option would allow Iran to keep the material inside its borders but require it to be diluted or rendered unusable under strict international monitoring, likely involving the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The core objective of both proposals is to construct a formula that allows Iran to avoid the appearance of capitulation while allowing the United States to claim it has prevented a nuclear breakout, according to the Post.

Iranian officials have sent mixed signals, with some expressing openness to a framework deal and others rejecting any transfer of enriched uranium abroad as a violation of sovereignty.

A senior U.S. official told CBS News that Iran has “agreed in principle” to dispose of highly enriched uranium, though no final agreement has been reached and key details remain unresolved. Internal approvals would still be required on both sides before any deal could be finalized.

Reuters reported that Iranian officials have publicly emphasized that no final agreement has been reached, underscoring continued uncertainty in the negotiations and ongoing disputes over key terms.

The broader discussions also include sanctions relief, regional security arrangements, and maritime access issues such as the Strait of Hormuz, according to reporting from the Washington Post.

President Donald Trump has emphasized that negotiations remain ongoing and has pushed back on criticism of the evolving framework, arguing that opponents are assessing a deal that is not yet finalized.

Administration officials say Trump has argued that key details remain in flux and that outside commentary risks misrepresenting the state of the talks.

As background to the negotiations, Trump has also stressed that the United States is in no rush to reach an agreement, Reuters reported.

Trump has said he instructed negotiators not to “rush into any deal,” arguing that both sides must ensure any agreement fully meets U.S. security requirements.

The president has also described the talks as proceeding in an “orderly and constructive” manner while emphasizing that time remains to secure the right outcome rather than a fast one.

The posture reflects a broader administration effort to balance diplomatic momentum with caution, as negotiators continue working through unresolved issues in a still-fragile framework.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Newsmax that the administration is pursuing a “strong, lasting agreement” and will not accept any deal that leaves Iran with a pathway to a nuclear weapon.

Pigott said the objective is not a quick diplomatic announcement but a durable arrangement that fully eliminates Iran’s ability to produce weapons-grade nuclear material.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., told Newsmax that any agreement must fully eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat and warned against arrangements that leave core enrichment capabilities intact.

Johnson said partial measures would be insufficient and urged a complete resolution to Iran’s nuclear program.

The uranium disposal issue remains one of the central unresolved components of the negotiations, which also include sanctions relief, regional de-escalation measures, and maritime security guarantees.