The US has sent a nuclear deal proposal to Iran. The country conveyed this message through Oman. The US says that accepting the deal would be in Iran’s interest. However, the specific terms of the deal have not been disclosed as of the time of writing.
According to media reports, the White House confirmed on Saturday that the US has sent a proposal for a new nuclear deal with Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi recently visited Tehran and gave him some ‘key elements’ of the US deal.
The proposal comes at a time when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog, said that Iran has again increased its production of enriched uranium, which is a worrying step towards building a nuclear weapon.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said, “Iran’s acceptance of the deal is in their interest.” He added, “President Trump has made it clear that Iran will never be able to build a nuclear bomb.”
The report said that the proposal was sent to Tehran by US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi Xey (formerly Twitter) wrote, “We will respond to this proposal in accordance with our national interests and the rights of our people.”
The IAEA said in a report that Iran currently has more than 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent—very close to the 90 percent level needed to make weapons.
According to experts, this is enough to make 10 nuclear weapons, if further refined. In fact, Iran is the only country that is producing uranium at such a high level despite not having nuclear weapons.
In this situation, the US, UK, France and Germany are preparing to declare Iran a violator of the nuclear deal on the IAEA board. Iran has called the allegations “politically motivated” and “baseless” and warned that it would “respond appropriately” if any action is taken against it by the IAEA board.
In such a situation, the United States has long been trying to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Since April this year, behind-the-scenes talks have been underway between Washington and Tehran, mediated by Oman.
Although both sides are optimistic about the talks, the main dispute is over the right to continue enriching uranium. The latest IAEA report says that Iran has been producing enough enriched uranium every month for the past three months to make one nuclear bomb.
According to multiple US sources, Iran can produce weapons-grade uranium in less than two weeks and is capable of making a nuclear bomb within a few months if it wants. Although Iran has always said that its nuclear program is peaceful.
Source: BBC