According to four sources with knowledge of the situation, the Trump administration has suggested allowing up to $30 billion in investment to develop a civilian nuclear energy program in Iran, lifting sanctions, and unleashing billions of dollars in restricted Iranian assets.
Despite increased military tensions in Iran and Israel over the previous two weeks, senior officials from the US and Middle Eastern countries held behind-the-scenes discussions with Iranian authorities. After a ceasefire deal was announced, those discussions proceeded this week.
Officials from the Trump administration claim that several draft proposals have been presented, all of which are based on the same non-negotiable requirement: Iran must stop enriching uranium. CNN saw a draft proposal that provides Iran with a number of advantages.
According to sources acquainted with a private discussion between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Gulf allies last Friday at the White House, one day before US strikes on Iran, the ideas include an estimated $20–30 billion investment in a civilian non-enrichment nuclear energy program. US officials emphasized that Arab friends are anticipated to supply this financing rather than America directly. In earlier rounds of accord talks, investment in Iran’s nuclear-energy infrastructure was discussed.
While funding will be needed for the program, “we will not commit the funds ourselves,” a Trump official told CNN, adding that “the US is prepared to lead these discussions.”
According to the draft, additional suggested incentives include access to $6 billion kept in international bank accounts that are currently unavailable to Tehran and respite from sanctions.
Another proposal from last week suggests that the non-enrichment program be used to finance the replacement of the Fordow nuclear complex, which was destroyed by US bunker-busting explosives. Whether Iran would own the facility or the extent of the proposal’s pursuit is still unknown.
“A lot of ideas are being floated as people strive to think creatively,” one insider said. Another cautioned that “it remains entirely uncertain what will happen” in reference to the first five rounds of US-Iran negotiations.
Trump said, “We may sign an agreement, I don’t know,” during a NATO meeting. I could obtain a declaration stating that they will not use nuclear weapons. He went on to say that the administration would want the same terms as were previously requested: “no nuclear.”
Any deal would depend on Iran’s readiness to engage in direct negotiations with the US rather than through middlemen, said Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio on Wednesday. “We want to have peaceful relations with every country,” he stated while speaking in The Hague. However, that will rely on Iran’s willingness to engage in direct negotiations with the US, not just to promote peace.
“We are in dialogue with the Iranians,” Witkoff said this week, describing “signs” of a potential accord. We’re getting calls from several interlocutors. I think they’re prepared.
