Iran on Monday met a US demand for a two-decade halt to its uranium enrichment with a counter-proposal for a five-year suspension, according to the New York Times.

Citing officials from both sides, the daily reported that US negotiators led by Vice President JD Vance over the weekend in the Pakistani capital Islamabad asked Iran to stop enrichment activities for a period of 20 years.

It added that Tehran, submitting a formal response on Monday, offered a moratorium of one-fourth of that span.

To another US demand that all highly enriched uranium be removed from the country, Iran reportedly offered to “significantly” dilute its existing stockpiles.

Marathon historic talks between the US and Iran concluded in Islamabad this weekend with senior delegations from both countries failing to reach an agreement that would bring a permanent end to the US-Israeli war.

The talks were held during a two-week ceasefire secured by Pakistan on April 8 and marked the highest-level engagement between Washington and Tehran since 1979, though key disputes remained unresolved. (AA)