logo
Trump Administration Discusses $30 Billion Civilian Nuclear Deal To Bring Iran Back To Talks: Report

Trump Administration Discusses $30 Billion Civilian Nuclear Deal To Bring Iran Back To Talks: Report

News186 hours ago

Last Updated:
Details of the potential deal were discussed during a secret, hours-long meeting at the White House last Friday between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Gulf partners
The Trump administration has been exploring a proposal that would allow Iran access to as much as $30 billion to develop a civilian nuclear energy program, ease sanctions, and unlock billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets — part of a broader effort to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table, CNN reported, citing four sources familiar with the discussions.
According to the report, US officials and key Middle Eastern partners have been engaged in backchannel talks with Iran, even as military strikes between Iran and Israel unfolded over the past two weeks. These conversations reportedly continued this week following the recently brokered ceasefire, CNN said.
While multiple proposals are under consideration, the non-negotiable condition remains Iran's commitment to zero uranium enrichment, something Iran has repeatedly said it needs. A preliminary draft proposal seen by CNN, described by two sources, includes a plan for a $20–$30 billion investment in Iran's non-enrichment civilian nuclear infrastructure. Funding for the project would primarily come from Arab partners, not the US, a senior official stressed.
Details of the potential deal were discussed during a secret, hours-long meeting at the White House last Friday between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Gulf partners, just a day before the US military's strikes on Iran, CNN revealed.
First Published:
June 27, 2025, 08:04 IST

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Nuclear watchdog chief: Iran's atomic sites suffered ‘enormous damage', Fordow ‘no longer operational'
Nuclear watchdog chief: Iran's atomic sites suffered ‘enormous damage', Fordow ‘no longer operational'

Indian Express

time17 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Nuclear watchdog chief: Iran's atomic sites suffered ‘enormous damage', Fordow ‘no longer operational'

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed that Israeli strikes earlier this month caused 'very significant physical damage' to Iran's nuclear infrastructure. In an interview with RFI's Le Grand Invité International on June 26, Grossi said the facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow — central to Iran's uranium enrichment operations — had been hit hard. 'I think 'annihilated' is too much. But it suffered enormous damage,' Grossi said, emphasising that while some sites remained intact, the affected facilities were among the most critical to Iran's nuclear program. Responding to US President Donald Trump's claim that the strikes had delayed Iran's nuclear capabilities by 'several decades,' Grossi referenced past intelligence misjudgments. He said such timelines are highly subjective. 'This chronological approach… has a not-so-happy tradition… It depends on the parameters you want to apply.' Using satellite imagery and institutional knowledge of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, the IAEA has made preliminary assessments of the damage. At Fordow, a major underground enrichment facility, Grossi said images showed evidence of high-penetration bomb strikes, likely destroying key equipment. Describing the enrichment hall as 'no longer an operational facility,' he said: 'These centrifuges are fairly precise machines… the vibrations have completely destroyed them.' Grossi also addressed concerns over Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, which was measured at over 400 kilograms just before the conflict. He confirmed IAEA inspectors were present until June 12—one day before the strikes—and had conducted daily inventories. Iran had signalled it would take protective measures, he said, likely indicating it moved the uranium to secure locations. Following the ceasefire, Grossi sent a diplomatic request to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to begin coordinating the inspectors' return. However, he said, no response has been received so far. The situation became more precarious after Iranian lawmakers voted to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, accusing the agency of bias for not condemning the Israeli strikes. Grossi warned that such a move would constitute a breach of international obligations. Noting that unilateral suspension would place Iran outside the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), he said: 'The agency's presence in Iran is not some kind of generous gesture… It is a legal obligation.' If inspections continue to be blocked, Grossi said he may be forced to convene the IAEA Board of Governors. Meanwhile, Trump accused Democrats of leaking classified details about the US strikes on Iran. In a Truth Social post, he said 'They should be prosecuted.' Separately, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has staunchly defended the strikes, claiming they 'decimated… obliterated' the country's nuclear program — despite early intelligence reports suggesting otherwise. (Source: RFI – Le Grand Invité International)

Iran conducts waves of arrests & executions in wake of Israel conflict, activists fear crackdown on dissenters
Iran conducts waves of arrests & executions in wake of Israel conflict, activists fear crackdown on dissenters

First Post

time17 minutes ago

  • First Post

Iran conducts waves of arrests & executions in wake of Israel conflict, activists fear crackdown on dissenters

While Iran is recovering from the 12-day-long conflict with Israel, the country's regime has been arresting and executing its citizens on charges of feeding information to Israeli intelligence. However, activists share a different side of the story read more While Iran is already engaged in a conflict with Israel, the draconian regime in the country is waging war against its citizens. Amid the Iran-Israel conflict, Iranian authorities have carried out a wave of arrests and multiple executions of people suspected of links to Israeli intelligence agencies. The Iranian officials noted that the arrests are being made amid unprecedented infiltration of Iranian security services by Israeli agents. Authorities noted that the sensitive information fed into Israeli intelligence ultimately led to the elimination of top Iranian military brass under Operation Rising Lion, BBC reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This included the targeted killings of senior commanders from the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and nuclear scientists, which Iran attributes to operatives of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency operating within the country. Is this the way to silence the voices of dissent While authorities have been targeting anyone suspected of working with foreign intelligence, saying it is for the sake of national security, many fear that this is the Iranian regime's way of silencing voices of dissent and tightening control over the population. According to the BBC report, during the 12-day conflict, Iranian authorities executed three people accused of spying for Israel. On Wednesday, just one day after the ceasefire, three more individuals were executed on similar charges. Apart from this, the officials have announced the arrest of hundreds of suspects across the country on accusations of espionage. Stage television even went so far as to air alleged confessions from several detainees, purportedly admitting to collaboration with Israeli intelligence. In the midst of all this, human rights groups and activists have expressed fears over the latest developments. They cited Iran's longstanding practice of extracting forced confessions and conducting unfair trials. There are concerns that more executions may follow. Meanwhile, Iran's Ministry of Intelligence claimed that it is engaged in a 'relentless battle' against what it calls Western and Israeli intelligence networks - including the CIA, Mossad, and MI6. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per the report, the Iranian government has also stepped up pressure on journalists working for Persian-language media outlets abroad, including BBC Persian and the London-based Iran International and Manoto TV. Iran International is claiming that the IRGC detained the mother, father, and brother of one of its TV presenters in Tehran to pressure her into resigning over the channel's coverage of the Iran-Israel conflict. The presenter received a phone call from her father, prompted by security agents, urging her to quit the coverage, warning of further consequences. Hence, it is unclear whether Iran is dealing with an Israeli spy ring or it is trying to curb voices of dissent.

Where is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? Iran's Supreme Leader resurfaces on TV, yet questions linger over his whereabouts
Where is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? Iran's Supreme Leader resurfaces on TV, yet questions linger over his whereabouts

Mint

time23 minutes ago

  • Mint

Where is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? Iran's Supreme Leader resurfaces on TV, yet questions linger over his whereabouts

On June 26, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, gave his first address to the nation since the country's 12-day war with Israel ended with a ceasefire that the US President Donald Trump and the Emir of Qatar brokered earlier this week. Khamenei, in a pre-recorded video message, downplayed reports of damage to the country's nuclear programme by US strikes and declared victory over both Israel and the United States. 'The Islamic republic slapped America in the face,' said Khamenei, 86. He said that the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities did not do 'anything important' and that the United States only intervened to save Israel from being 'completely destroyed.' Khamenei has reportedly been hiding for nearly two weeks after Israel's strike on the country on June 13. Israel also eliminated Iran's senior military leadership and some scientists during the strikes. The Islamic Republic retaliated with missile strikes on Israel. The US said on Sunday that the country's military 'obliterated' Iran's main nuclear sites using 14 bunker-buster bombs, more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles and over 125 military aircraft. Iran attacked a US air base in neighbouring Qatar. Iranian officials claimed the attacks left 627 people dead and nearly 5,000 injured. Iran's retaliation targeted parts of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, leaving a trail of damaged buildings and at least 14 people dead, according to reports. On Tuesday, however, Israel and Iran confirmed a ceasefire, hours after President Trump announced an imminent ceasefire between the two nations on Truth Social. In his address on Thursday, the ageing Iranian leader Khamenei sat flanked by an Iranian flag and a portrait of his predecessor and the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Khamenei spoke while looking into the camera. But it was unclear exactly when the video was recorded. According to a Reuters investigation citing five sources with direct knowledge of succession planning, Khamenei has gone into hiding with his family and is being protected by the elite Vali-ye Amr unit of the Revolutionary Guards. While he is reportedly still being briefed on internal matters, a special three-member committee—appointed by Khamenei himself two years ago—is accelerating efforts to identify his successor, sources told Reuters. In the event of Khamenei's death, the ruling establishment aims to swiftly announce a new leader to maintain national stability. As the supreme leader, Khamenei has the last word on all major state matters. As the commander in chief of the armed forces, he would be expected to approve any military decision, including the attack on the American base or the ceasefire deal with Israel. President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both suggested during the war that Khamenei was vulnerable and not immune from their strikes. In an interview with The New York Times on June 25, Mehdi Fazaeli, head of Khamenei's archives office, was asked about the Supreme Leader's well-being. "People are very worried about the Supreme Leader," the host said. Without offering a direct answer, Fazaeli said, "We all should be praying." He added that he received numerous inquiries from officials, and viewers had sent a flood of messages asking the same question. The interview was done before Khamenei's June 26 televised address Fazaeli claimed that the people who are responsible for protecting the Supreme Leader are doing their job well, adding, "God willing, our people can celebrate victory next to their leader, God willing." Earlier, officials said that Khamenei had been hiding in a secure underground bunker and was avoiding all electronic communication to prevent assassination attempts. During the anti-US and anti-Israel protest last week, before the ceasefire, women were seen carrying portraits of Khamenei in their hands. Newspapers in Iran had voiced the concern about Khamenei whereabouts, too. "His days-long absence has made all of us who love him very worried," Mohsen Khalifeh, editor of Khaneman, a daily newspaper. The three-member panel of the top clerical body in Iran, appointed by Khamenei himself two years ago to identify his replacement, has accelerated its planning, according to news agency Reuters. According to an earlier in The New York Times, Khamenei has also picked replacements in his chain of military commands in case they are killed in Israeli strikes. The report, citing three Iranian officials familiar with Khamenei's emergency war plans, said that the Supreme Leader 'mostly speaks with his commanders through a trusted aide now, suspending electronic communications to make it harder to find him'. 'He would be well advised to be cautious, despite the fragile ceasefire that the US President Donald Trump and the Emir of Qatar brokered. Though President Trump reportedly told Israel not to kill Iran's supreme leader, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not rule it out,' wrote Kasra Naji, Special Correspondent, BBC Persian. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that his country's forces would have killed Khamenei if it had been possible during the recent 12-day war fought between both nations. 'I estimate that if Khamenei had been in our sights, we would have taken him out," Katz said in an interview with Israel's Kan public television. But Khamenei understood this, went underground to very great depths, and broke off contacts with the commanders who replaced those commanders who were eliminated, so it wasn't realistic in the end," Katz was quoted as saying. The Islamic republic slapped America in the face. Sanctions have crippled the Iranian economy, reducing a top oil exporter to a poor and struggling shadow of its former self, Naji said in the BBC report. Netanyahu and Trump had both suggested at various times during the air war that Khamenei's life could be in danger as regime change could be a result of the war that ended with the ceasefire on Tuesday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store