Relief But Don't Enrich: Trump Floats $30 Billion Civilian Nuclear Deal For Iran
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The Trump administration may allow Iran $30 billion for a civilian nuclear program if it stops uranium enrichment, with Gulf allies funding the initiative.
The Donald Trump administration is weighing a proposal that could allow Iran access to as much as $30 billion to build a civilian nuclear energy program- just days after US military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, CNN reported. Key US and Middle Eastern officials have been in discreet contact with Iranian counterparts in an effort to revive stalled nuclear negotiations, the report claimed.
The US-led effort is supported financially by Gulf allies and aims to fund the creation of a non-enrichment nuclear program in Iran- intended solely for civilian energy use. The program could involve a $20–30 billion investment and would require Iran to completely halt uranium enrichment- a red line for the White House which has been a demand Tehran has long resisted.
'This is about creating an alternative that satisfies Iran's domestic energy needs without letting them near a bomb," a senior Trump official told CNN, adding, 'Zero enrichment. That's the non-negotiable."
Details of the plan were discussed in a secret White House meeting just 24 hours before the US launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, including the Fordow enrichment site. At the time, US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Gulf state envoys for hours to outline possible terms of a new agreement, the report claimed citing people in the know.
One floated idea was the replacement the Fordow site with a new nuclear facility, funded by US-allied Gulf nations, to produce nuclear energy under strict international oversight. The financial assistance would not come from US as the White House envisions Gulf states footing the bill in exchange for regional stability, the report added.
In addition to infrastructure support, the draft proposal also includes limited sanctions relief and the possible unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian assets currently held in foreign accounts.
Negotiations have largely been conducted through regional intermediaries- with Qatar playing a crucial role in both ceasefire diplomacy and nuclear discussions. Sources told CNN that Doha has been 'instrumental" in relaying messages between Washington and Tehran.
This comes as US President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration was seeking 'a comprehensive peace agreement" while downplaying the urgency of reaching a nuclear deal.
'I don't care if I have an agreement or not," Donald Trump said, adding, 'I could get a statement that they're not going to go nuclear- we're probably going to ask for that."
First Published:
June 27, 2025, 15:45 IST
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