Iran has reportedly proposed a joint nuclear program with the US as an alternative to halting uranium enrichment, according to a New York Times report.
Iranian officials have reportedly suggested a joint nuclear enrichment venture involving Arab nations and US investment, The New York Times reported, citing four Iranian officials.
According to reports, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the plan during a meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Oman on Sunday. The proposal was intended as an alternative to President Trump’s demand for the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Eddie Vasquez, a spokesman for Witkoff, refuted the report, telling the NYT that a joint venture “was never floated or discussed.” Formal diplomatic relations between the US and Iran have been nonexistent since 1980.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently stated that demands to completely shut down the country’s nuclear program were “unacceptable.”
Araghchi stated earlier this month, “From our perspective, (uranium) enrichment is something that absolutely must continue, and there’s no room for compromise about that.”
During his first term, Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 UN-backed nuclear agreement, accusing Iran of secretly violating the terms. While Iran has denied any violations, it has since reduced its commitments and increased its enriched uranium stockpile.
Despite both sides describing the four rounds of talks mediated by Oman as positive, tensions remain due to ongoing clashes between the US and Iran over the conflict in Gaza, attacks on international shipping, and attacks on Israel by Yemen’s Houthis.
During a Middle East tour on Tuesday, Trump labeled Iran the “most destructive force” in the region and insisted that it must never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.
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