The United States submitted its first formal nuclear proposal to Iran on Saturday, coinciding with newly released U.N. findings that Tehran’s stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium has grown substantially over the past three months. The offer, while not a comprehensive agreement, is structured as a set of bullet points and marks the first written proposal by lead American negotiator Steve Witkoff since talks began in early April.
The proposal calls for Iran to immediately halt all uranium enrichment and introduces the idea of a regional nuclear energy consortium. This initiative would include Iran, Saudi Arabia, other Arab states, and the United States. Though incomplete, the offer signals a shift in Washington’s strategy by formally placing terms on the table. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, announced the delivery of the document via Oman, which has hosted the ongoing diplomatic talks. The White House later confirmed the proposal.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “President Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb. Special Envoy Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it’s in their best interest to accept it. Out of respect for the ongoing deal, the administration will not comment on details of the proposal to the media.”
Skepticism remains high among international experts, especially regarding the willingness of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to approve any deal that would effectively dismantle the nuclear infrastructure Tehran has invested billions into and has defended against multiple sabotage attempts by Israel and the United States. Araghchi responded to the proposal by stating Iran would evaluate it “in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran.” Iran has previously dismissed U.S. calls to stop all enrichment, asserting that producing nuclear fuel is a sovereign right and a critical element of their national identity as a threshold nuclear state.
Iran’s Enrichment Surge Raises Global Alarm
The U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed that Iran has increased its uranium enriched to 60 percent — dangerously close to the 90 percent threshold needed for nuclear weapons. The report estimates Iran now holds approximately 900 pounds of this material, up from 605 pounds in February, potentially enough for about ten nuclear weapons. This increase coincides with efforts to gain negotiating leverage against Witkoff and the Trump administration.
IAEA Director General Rafael M. Grossi emphasized the urgency of reaching a diplomatic resolution, warning, “The significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran, the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such nuclear material, is of serious concern.” Although Iran has removed many IAEA surveillance tools from its nuclear facilities, it still permits inspectors to measure its enriched uranium stockpile.
Despite having the necessary enriched uranium, intelligence analysts suggest that weaponizing the material would still take several months to a year. However, U.S. intelligence has also suggested Iran may be pursuing an alternative, faster method for developing a crude nuclear device in the event of escalating tensions.
