The deal that came close to succeeding at the weekend would have allowed Tehran some scope to continue enriching uranium at low levels for civilian purposes only, in return for sanctions relief and other concessions. Iran would have committed to safeguards and controls on its production of a stockpile of enriched uranium. The Iranians would also agree not to activate the plutonium reactor at Arak, which could be used to enhance a nuclear arms programme, during the six-month freeze.