Oman Proposes Regional Uranium Enrichment Union
Israa Farhan
Oman has put forward a proposal to establish a regional uranium enrichment union for peaceful purposes, under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United States.
This initiative aims to address concerns over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East while ensuring compliance with international regulations.
An anonymous US official
revealed
to Axios that the proposal suggests the construction of uranium enrichment facilities outside of Iran. In exchange, the United States would recognize Iran's right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, provided Tehran halts all enrichment activities temporarily.
This offer comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear ambitions. While Iran has consistently maintained that it will not sign any agreement that does not guarantee its right to enrich uranium, US officials have stated unequivocally that uranium enrichment beyond certain limits is a "red line."
In a related development, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a report on Saturday revealing that Iran has accumulated over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, a level that, if further enriched to 90%, could be sufficient for the production of 10 nuclear bombs.
The IAEA also highlighted that Iran has failed to provide satisfactory answers to its inquiries regarding several undeclared nuclear sites within the country. These findings have raised alarms within the international community about Iran's potential intentions to develop nuclear weapons.
The US has made clear its desire to achieve a "basic agreement" that sets the principles of any future nuclear deal before technical teams from both sides finalize the specifics. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has indicated that Washington aims for a deal that ensures robust oversight and transparency.
Oman, which has often played a mediating role in regional diplomacy, presented the US proposal to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a visit to Tehran on Saturday.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi emphasized that the initiative could serve as a bridge between Tehran and Washington, potentially reducing the risks of further escalation.
Iran's government has made it clear that its response to the proposal will be based on "national principles, interests, and the rights of the Iranian people." The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact the future of nuclear negotiations in the region.
In response to the ongoing diplomatic efforts, White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt reiterated that the Trump administration had already made a detailed and acceptable offer to Iran during earlier nuclear talks. Levitt emphasized that it is now in Iran's best interest to accept the proposal.
Stephen Wieckhoff, the US special envoy on Iran, had reportedly delivered a detailed offer to the Iranian leadership during the fourth round of talks, with further clarification provided in the fifth round.
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