Iran Floats New Nuclear Proposals but Falls Short of Key U.S. Demand

Citing U.S., Iranian and regional diplomats, the report states that Tehran has signaled openness to sending part of its stockpile of 60%-enriched uranium to a third country such as Russia. Such a move could address a key U.S. concern regarding Iran’s breakout capability.

Iranian officials have also floated the possibility of pausing enrichment activities for up to three years. Yet diplomats note that enrichment is believed to have already slowed significantly following U.S. and Israeli strikes last June that severely damaged Iran’s main nuclear facilities.

Despite these signals of flexibility, Tehran has not agreed to dismantle its enrichment infrastructure — a step Washington considers essential for any lasting agreement.

Trump: “They Want to Make a Deal”

President Trump, who has overseen a significant U.S. military buildup in the region, said he remains indirectly involved in the Geneva talks and warned of consequences if diplomacy fails.

“I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump told reporters, adding, “They want to make a deal.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has outlined broader U.S. objectives, including curbs on Iran’s ballistic missile program, limits on its regional activities, and human rights concerns.

Iran Signals Economic Incentives

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid Ghanbari said Tehran is prepared to discuss business cooperation with the U.S. — including oil and gas, mining investments and aircraft purchases — if sanctions are lifted.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated he arrived in Geneva with “real ideas” for a fair and equitable agreement but emphasized that “submission before threats” is not under consideration.

Iran has also proposed establishing a regional consortium to produce nuclear fuel plates, though it has insisted the production process remain inside the country — a condition U.S. officials reportedly reject.

Sanctions Relief Remains a Key Dispute

Iranian officials have repeatedly argued that Washington has not clearly defined what sanctions relief would be offered in exchange for nuclear concessions. At minimum, Tehran is seeking access to roughly $6 billion in oil revenues currently restricted in Qatar.

Under the 2015 nuclear agreement, sanctions relief was granted in exchange for strict enrichment limits. President Trump withdrew the U.S. from that deal in 2018, calling it one-sided and insufficient.

Military Pressure and Diplomatic Uncertainty

The Geneva talks mark the second round of negotiations in two weeks, following earlier discussions in Oman. Meanwhile, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the region, deploying the aircraft carriers USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln along with additional naval and air assets.

While diplomatic channels remain open, the core issue remains unresolved: Washington is demanding a complete end to uranium enrichment, while Tehran appears willing to offer only temporary or partial measures.

Whether Iran’s latest proposals will be enough to bridge that gap remains uncertain.