Iran has signaled conditional support for a U.S.-proposed regional nuclear consortium, insisting that any uranium enrichment must occur on Iranian territory, according to a senior Iranian official speaking to Axios.

The official stated, “If the consortium operates within the territory of Iran, it may warrant consideration. However, should it be based outside the borders of the country, it is certainly doomed to fail.” This remark follows the fifth round of indirect negotiations, during which White House envoy Steve Witkoff presented the detailed proposal.

The consortium aims to reconcile U.S. demands to curb Iranian enrichment with Tehran’s insistence on maintaining nuclear sovereignty.

The Consortium Framework

According to the proposal:

• Enrichment would be limited to 3% for a time-bound period.
• Iran’s underground enrichment sites would be rendered non-operational temporarily.
• Only above-ground enrichment would continue under strict IAEA monitoring.
• The consortium would include Iran, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Turkey.

The model would supply reactor-grade fuel to regional civilian nuclear programs while keeping Iran's activities transparent and multilateral.

Diplomatic Optics and Political Risks

The arrangement allows both sides to claim victory: Washington could argue enrichment is no longer exclusively under Iranian control, while Iran maintains that enrichment on its soil continues. However, U.S. public messaging remains firm, with Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisting on “no enrichment.”

Iran is still seeking firm guarantees on the timeline and scope of sanctions relief—one of the main obstacles in finalizing the deal.

Outlook: Sixth Round of Talks Looms

The sixth round of indirect negotiations between Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected soon. Observers say Iran’s acceptance of a domestic consortium may represent the most viable path to resolving the nuclear impasse.