US and Iran seek to ease tensions through talks and mutual understanding.

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 would be cast as an "understanding" rather than an agreement requiring review by the US Congress. The US government has denied seeking an interim deal, but officials have been searching for ways to curb Tehran's nuclear efforts since the breakdown of indirect American-Iranian talks.