The US has indicated a willingness to permit Iran to continue uranium enrichment on its soil, despite having previously declared this a red line, according to a report published Monday by journalist Barak Ravid on Axios.
According to documents obtained by Axios, a US proposal delivered Saturday includes what it calls "preliminary ideas" for discussion in the next round of talks. Under the proposal, Iran would not be allowed to construct new enrichment facilities and would be required to dismantle "critical infrastructure for uranium conversion and processing." Nevertheless, contrary to earlier declarations demanding a total ban, the plan would permit Iran to carry out limited enrichment at its existing above-ground facilities.
Iran would also be required to halt all new research and development on centrifuges. The focus of the agreement would shift toward establishing a regional enrichment consortium.
Once the proposed agreement is signed, Iran would be required to temporarily reduce enrichment levels to approximately 3%, with the duration of this period to be determined through negotiations. Iran's underground enrichment sites would become "non-operational" for an agreed timeframe, while enrichment at above-ground facilities would be temporarily capped at levels suitable for civilian nuclear reactor fuel, in line with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines. The proposal also includes a "robust monitoring and verification mechanism," including immediate ratification of the Additional Protocol, and sanctions relief would be contingent on Iran demonstrating "genuine commitment."
The proposal falls far short of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand to implement in Iran the "Libya model," under which all elements of the nuclear program would be dismantled.
The move comes in the wake of a damning IAEA report published Saturday, which found that Iran continued to produce highly enriched uranium at a pace sufficient for one nuclear bomb per month. According to the confidential report circulated among member states, Iran has increased its stockpile of 60%-enriched uranium to 408.6 kilograms (900 pounds), up from 274.8 kilograms (606 pounds) in early February—an increase of 50%. By the IAEA's own estimates, Iran now possesses enough enriched uranium to potentially produce around 10 nuclear weapons if it decides to further enrich its stockpile.
The issue of uranium enrichment has long been the central point of contention between the parties. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi summed it up: "Zero nuclear weapons = we have a deal. Zero enrichment = no deal. It's decision time." Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has dismissed calls to halt enrichment as "excessive and outrageous," warning that such demands would not lead to a successful outcome.
On the other side, American officials have publicly held firm to the demand that Iran end enrichment. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Senate that while the US was prepared to accept a civilian nuclear program in Iran, it would not permit uranium enrichment due to concerns it could enable future weapons development. Rubio acknowledged that securing such a deal "would not be easy." Meanwhile, US negotiator Steve Witkoff said the US could not allow Iran even "one percent" enrichment.
