US and Iran seek mutual understanding to ease tensions and avert nuclear crisis.

The US and Iran are in talks to reach a mutual "understanding" that would limit Iran's nuclear program, release detained US citizens, and unfreeze some Iranian assets abroad. The US hopes to restore some limits on Iran to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The talks come after the breakdown of indirect US-Iranian talks and the failure to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The US government has denied seeking an interim deal, but rather a "cooling-down understanding." The talks aim to create a status quo acceptable for all and avoid a potential clash between Israel and Iran.