Washington/Tehran: The United States has reportedly proposed a series of new incentives to bring Iran back to nuclear negotiations, including offering $20-30 billion in investment for a non-enrichment nuclear energy program, easing sanctions, and freeing up frozen Iranian funds, CNN reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The discussions follow a 12-day war between Iran and Israel, which ended Tuesday after a US-brokered ceasefire. Despite the recent conflict, Iranian and US officials have held multiple rounds of talks—at least five—though the sixth round was delayed due to the escalation.
One core, non-negotiable US demand remains: Iran must cease uranium enrichment. However, Iran has repeatedly declared that zero enrichment is “not possible.”
Key Proposals by the US:
- $20-30 Billion Investment: Washington is encouraging Arab allies to fund the development of a new nuclear energy program in Iran that does not involve uranium enrichment.
- Civilian Use Only: The proposed program is strictly for peaceful, civilian energy purposes.
- Sanctions Relief: The proposal includes partial lifting of US sanctions, allowing Iran to access $6 billion currently frozen in foreign accounts.
- Rebuilding Fordow Facility: The US suggests replacing Iran’s underground Fordow plant—damaged by recent American airstrikes—with a new non-enrichment site, possibly funded by Gulf states aligned with the US.
One Trump administration official told CNN,
“The US is willing to lead these talks. And someone is going to need to pay for the nuclear program to be built, but we will not make that commitment.”
Sources confirmed that while the money won’t come directly from Washington, the US will coordinate with Arab allies to fund the initiative.
Background:
Iran’s nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow were recently hit during coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes. Iran’s foreign ministry admitted this week that its sites were “badly damaged.” However, a preliminary US intelligence report—later leaked—claimed the attacks only delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions by a few months.
Despite speculation, Iran has officially denied the resumption of any new nuclear negotiations.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said:
“I say explicitly that no agreement, arrangement or discussion has taken place regarding the initiation of new negotiations.”
“Some of the speculation about the resumption of negotiations should not be taken seriously.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump suggested that American officials may sit down with Iranian representatives next week, signaling the possibility of renewed dialogue. However, uncertainty still looms over whether talks will materialize or lead to a breakthrough.
One source familiar with the talks told CNN:
“There are a lot of ideas being thrown around by different people, and a lot of them are trying to be creative.”