Nuclear Deal: Details of the U.S. Proposal to Resolve the Enrichment Dilemma

1st June 2025

2 minutes read

Nuclear Deal: Details of the U.S. Proposal to Resolve the Enrichment Dilemma

A U.S. proposal has been submitted to Iran, containing ideas aimed at resolving the “dilemma” of uranium enrichment and advancing nuclear deal negotiations.

The key elements of the proposed agreement focus on U.S. ideas to solve the problem of Iran’s uranium enrichment, according to American media reports.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that his Omani counterpart, Badr Al-Busaidi, conveyed the terms of a U.S. proposal during a brief visit to Tehran on Saturday, aimed at reaching a nuclear agreement between Tehran and Washington.

Later that same day, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had “submitted a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it would be in their interest to accept it.”

The offer comes ahead of an expected sixth round of talks between Washington and Tehran to resolve the decades-long dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.
The time and location of the talks have not yet been announced.

One of the main sticking points in the negotiations remains the U.S. insistence that Iran dismantle its uranium enrichment facilities — a demand Iran continues to reject.

Proposal Details

According to the “Axios” website, “the written U.S. proposal is an attempt to break the deadlock and resolve the issue that has stalled the negotiations — Iran’s insistence on continuing uranium enrichment within its borders,” according to American officials.

One idea under consideration is the creation of a “regional union” tasked with enriching uranium for civilian nuclear purposes, under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United States, according to a U.S. official and a source familiar with the matter.

Axios noted that one of the core issues is the location of the enrichment facilities for this union.
Sources say the U.S. prefers that these facilities be located outside Iranian territory.

Another proposal includes the U.S. recognizing Iran’s right to enrich uranium, in exchange for a complete suspension of the activity by Tehran.

Axios emphasized that Iran has consistently insisted it would not sign any deal that denies it the right to enrich uranium, while U.S. officials have publicly reiterated their commitment to prevent it.

Concessions Required

Sources explained that “concessions will be necessary to reach an agreement,” noting that the updated U.S. proposal came as a result of the fifth round of negotiations between Iran and the United States in Rome last week.

The Iranians had requested a written U.S. stance after Witkoff presented a verbal proposal during the fourth round, which he expanded on in the fifth.

U.S. officials say they aim to first reach a framework agreement outlining the nuclear deal’s principles. If successful, technical teams from both sides will then begin drafting a detailed agreement.