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³¦°ù³Ü»å±ðÌý could be subject to increased , in a bidÌýto pressure TehranÌýto curbÌýitsÌý, according to reports.

Washington has been participating indirectly in talks held in Vienna between Iran and the other remaining parties inÌýthe Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Iran nuclear deal, including .

At these discussions, which began in April, Iran seeks sanctions reliefÌýin return for rescuing the agreement, which then-US President Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018.

With progress having slowed, Washington is weighing up how to incentivise Iran to continueÌýwith the process and penalise TehranÌýit withdraws, The Wall Street JournalÌýreported on Monday.

The strategies available include sanctions aimed at Tehran's critical oil exports to China, its most important buyer.

The restrictions would hit the maritime routes responsible for moving around a million barrels daily, according to the WSJ'sÌýAmerican sources, who explained that such a move would occur should the JCPOA discussions fall flat.

Washington would also strengthen its restrictions on Iran's crude and shipping sectors.

A figure on the US side told the WSJ: "There is not much left to sanction in Iran's economy.

"Iran's oil sales to China is the prize."

But US insidersÌýwarned that such a move could have unintended consequences and push Tehran into speeding up its nuclear development.

TheyÌýalso noted that the China oil plan is not the only move being deliberated,Ìýwith political efforts underway to encourage big crude-purchasing nations - including China and India - to reduce their intakes ofÌý Iranian oilÌýand to slash finance activities with Tehran.

Discussions in Vienna are at a standstill following the election of ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi to the Iranian presidency, who insists the Islamic Republic will only reach an agreement if US sanctions are lifted.

The US is clear this will not happen.

Meanwhile, Abbas Araghchi, Tehran's second-in-command at the foreign ministry who oversees nuclear discussions, Ìýon Twitter this weekend thatÌýthe takes power in August.

"There is I think scope for tensions, in that the Biden administration appears committed to essentially a return to the JCPOA, while Israel is opposed"

— °®Âþµº (@The_NewArab)

US State Department spokesperson said that Washington will not wait forever to rescue the JCPOA.

One of the WSJ insiders said there would then be "things that are relatively easy to do… and things that would take more time".

This comes as US and European officials ÌýIran would in two to three months be able toÌýgather the materials needed to construct a nuclear weapon.

°®Âþµº has reached out to the New York-based Iranian mission to the UN.