Revised Nuclear Deal Proposal for Iran
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration has put forth a new nuclear deal for Iran, which would permit Tehran to continue enriching uranium once it signs the agreement, although this contradicts statements made by U.S. officials publicly.
This summary of the proposals was initially reported by Axios and submitted on Saturday by White House Special Middle Eastern Envoy Steve Witkoff.
If the proposal is accepted, it would mean that Iran could continue enriching uranium, but just for private use. Furthermore, Tehran’s enrichment levels would need to be temporarily capped at 3%.
The length of the low-enrichment period would have to be negotiated between Washington and Tehran.
Additionally, the proposal specifies that Iran’s underground enrichment facilities must remain “non-operated” for mutually agreed-upon times, restricting activities to the production of nuclear reactor fuel in accordance with international regulations.
The revised deal states that Iran could receive sanctions relief if it shows a “real commitment” to adhering to the agreement, which includes implementing a “strong system of monitoring and verification.”
President Trump had previously exited the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, pledging to exert maximum pressure on Iran, potentially including military strikes, to halt its nuclear ambitions.
Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have asserted that Iran’s nuclear program needs to be entirely dismantled.
On May 2nd, Rubio commented on Fox News, “If you can enrich to 3.67%, it only takes a few weeks to escalate to 20%, then to 60%, and finally to the 80% and 90% required for a weapon.”
“We need an arrangement that fosters peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East, which necessitates Iran ceasing and dismantling its nuclear enrichment and weapons programs,” Witkoff stated on April 15th.
Meanwhile, Iran remains committed to its nuclear efforts. Earlier on Monday, a senior diplomat in Tehran informed Reuters, “Iran is drafting a negative response to the U.S. proposal.”
White House Press Secretary Karolyn Leavitt remarked in response to the Axios report, “President Trump is clear: Iran will never obtain a nuclear bomb. Envoy Witkoff believes accepting this proposal is in Iran’s best interest.” She added that the administration wouldn’t comment on the specifics of the proposal.
