Statement by Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, at the fifty-third meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee

US CONSIDERS $20B CASH-FOR-URANIUM DEAL WITH IRAN - AXIOS SCOOP: The U.S. and Iran are negotiating over a three-page plan to end the war, with one element under discussion being that the U.S. would release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for Iran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium. President Trump said Thursday that U.S. and Iranian negotiators would likely meet this weekend for a second round of talks to try to seal the deal. The talks are expected to take place in Islamabad, likely on Sunday, according to a source familiar with the mediation efforts. 'Three-Page Plan To End The War': Oil Tumbles As US Reportedly 'Mulls' $20BN Cash-For-Nukes Deal According to two U.S. officials and two additional sources briefed on the talks, Axios' Barak Ravid reports that the US and Iran are negotiating over a three-page plan to end the war. The three-page memorandum of understanding (MOU) the two sides are negotiating over also includes a "voluntary" moratorium on nuclear enrichment by Iran. The U.S. demanded in the last round of talks that Iran agree to a 20-year moratorium. Iran countered with five years. The mediators are still trying to close the gap. As part of the MOU, Iran would be allowed to have nuclear research reactors for the production of medical isotopes, but would pledge that all of its nuclear facilities would be above ground. The existing underground facilities would remain out of commission. Perhaps the most notable element under discussion being that the U.S. would release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for Iran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium.