The Trump administration has proposed facilitating up to $30 billion in investment to establish a civilian nuclear‑energy programme in Iran, easing sanctions and unlocking billions in restricted Iranian assets, according to four sources with knowledge of the matter.
Senior officials from the US and Middle Eastern nations conducted behind‑the‑scenes talks with Iranian representatives despite heightened military tensions during the past two weeks in Iran and Israel. Those exchanges continued this week following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement.
According to Trump administration officials, multiple preliminary proposals have been tabled, all of which rest on one non‑negotiable point: Iran must refrain from uranium enrichment. A draft proposal viewed by CNN offers several incentives to Iran.
Sources familiar with a confidential meeting held last Friday at the White House—between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Gulf partners, a day before US strikes on Iran—said the proposals include an estimated $20–30 billion investment in a non‑enrichment nuclear energy programme for civilian use. US officials stressed that this funding would not be provided directly by America, but expected to come from Arab allies. Investment in Iran’s nuclear‑energy infrastructure has been discussed in previous rounds of agreement talks.
A Trump official told CNN that “the US is prepared to lead these discussions” and that although the financing will be required for the programme, “we will not commit the funds ourselves.”
Other proposed incentives include sanction relief and access to $6 billion held in foreign bank accounts, currently inaccessible to Tehran, according to the draft.
Another suggestion made last week proposes that US‑backed Gulf states fund the replacement of the Fordow nuclear facility—struck by US bunker‑busting munitions—with the non‑enrichment programme. It remains unclear whether Iran itself would control the facility or to what extent the proposal is being pursued.
One source remarked: “Many ideas are being floated as people strive to think creatively.” Another, speaking of the first five rounds of US–Iran talks, warned: “It remains entirely uncertain what will happen.”
Witkoff told CNBC on Wednesday that the US aims to negotiate a “comprehensive peace agreement”, and Trump officials emphasise that all proposals intend to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The US asserts that Iran may operate a civilian nuclear‑energy programme, but must import enriched uranium—emulating the UAE model. Witkoff said: “The issue now is how we rebuild a better civil nuclear programme for you that is non‑enrichable.”
The administration hopes to present a term sheet to Tehran. Trump said on Wednesday that the US and Iran would meet “next week”, yet an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson denied awareness of any forthcoming talks, and those involved in planning said arrangements remain tentative. No dates have been finalised, according to sources speaking to CNN.
Despite Witkoff’s intense private diplomacy, Trump this week downplayed the need for a nuclear agreement, stating: “I don’t care if I have an agreement or not.” Still, his advisers believe a longer‑term deal would cement the ceasefire.
Terms outlined at Witkoff’s secret meeting continue to be discussed with Iran via regional intermediaries—particularly Qatar, which helped broker this week’s ceasefire and will coordinate with the US to ensure fighting does not resume.
Trump officials believe that Iran, in the wake of recent events, may now be more inclined to comply with US conditions. However, some Iranian experts suggest that Tehran may accelerate efforts to acquire a nuclear weapon. Earlier this week, the Iranian parliament approved legislation ending cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, signalling an intent to obscure its nuclear programme further.
Prior to Israel’s recent strikes, the US and Iran held five rounds of negotiations to establish a framework for a new nuclear deal. Washington submitted a proposal to Tehran and expected a response during a sixth round in Oman. Those talks were cancelled following Israel’s attacks.
On Saturday, ahead of US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, the Trump administration communicated via intermediaries that forthcoming strikes would remain limited and reiterated a simple diplomatic condition: no uranium enrichment.
At a NATO summit, Trump remarked: “We may sign an agreement, I don’t know. I could get a statement that they’re not going nuclear.” He added that the administration would insist upon the same conditions previously sought: “no nuclear.”
Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that any agreement would hinge on Iran’s willingness to negotiate directly with the US, rather than through intermediaries. Speaking in The Hague, he said: “We wish to have peaceful relations with every country. But that will depend on Iran’s readiness—not merely to advocate peace, but to negotiate directly with the United States.”
Witkoff described “signs” this week of a possible agreement: “We are in dialogue with the Iranians. Multiple interlocutors are contacting us. I believe they are ready.”
