Iran Reviews US Nuclear Deal Offer Amid Rising Tensions
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Iran says it is reviewing a formal U.S. proposal for a new nuclear deal between the two countries. The offer, delivered last week, represents the most significant step toward a potential agreement between Washington and Tehran since talks began in April, although both sides remain divided on critical issues such as uranium enrichment and sanctions relief.
At the same time, The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House has ordered a freeze on new sanctions against Iran, effectively pausing President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign as officials reassess their approach amid ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Newsweek has reached out the State Department and Iran's foreign ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
A potential nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and impact global non-proliferation efforts. Tehran's advancing uranium enrichment program raises alarms about nuclear weapon development, making the proposed agreement a pivotal development. The simultaneous freeze on sanctions underscores Washington's strategic shift toward diplomacy, balancing pressure with engagement.
A woman in a hijab walks by an anti-U.S. mural in Tehran on May 3, 2025.
A woman in a hijab walks by an anti-U.S. mural in Tehran on May 3, 2025.
Kyodo/AP Images
What To Know
The U.S. proposal, crafted by President Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, sets out terms aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is carefully reviewing the offer—the first official U.S. deal since indirect talks began earlier this year. Central issues include Iran's right to uranium enrichment and the extent of sanctions easing. Araghchi confirmed on social media that Iran received the proposal via Oman's foreign minister, pledging a response "in line with the principles, national interests, and rights of the Iranian people."
My dear brother @badralbusaidi, distinguished Foreign Minister of Oman, paid a short visit to Tehran today to present elements of a US proposal which will be appropriately responded to in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran. pic.twitter.com/3XyewmFJhD — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 31, 2025
Iran's uranium enrichment activities have intensified, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reporting that Tehran now possesses over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity—close to weapons-grade levels. The IAEA also noted Iran's refusal to grant inspectors full access, raising questions about the true extent of its nuclear program. Iran denies any intention to develop nuclear weapons and insists its nuclear activities are peaceful.
Sanctions Freeze and U.S. Strategy
Meanwhile, the White House's decision to halt new sanctions reflects growing concerns that a hardline approach might derail negotiations. According to The Wall Street Journal, the freeze was communicated by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to officials at the National Security Council, Treasury Department, and State Department. This pause allows Washington to reassess its strategy as it balances "maximum pressure" with diplomatic engagement.
Iran's Position
Iran has consistently maintained that any agreement must respect its right to uranium enrichment and lift sanctions imposed on its economy. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei defended Tehran's cooperation with the IAEA and dismissed criticism of Iran's nuclear record as politically motivated. Iran also condemned the recent IAEA report, calling it biased and reiterating its commitment to non-proliferation treaties.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on May 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. Leavitt discussed a federal court...
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on May 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. Leavitt discussed a federal court blocking U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs using an emergency powers law, the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill" Act that was passed by the House of Representatives, and other topics. MoreWhat People Are Saying
Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister: "My dear brother @badralbusaidi, distinguished Foreign Minister of Oman, paid a short visit to Tehran today to present elements of a U.S. proposal which will be appropriately responded to in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran."
Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary: "President Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb. It is in Tehran's best interest to accept a detailed and acceptable proposal that has been sent by the U.S."
What Happens Next
As Iran reviews the U.S. proposal, talks continue with both sides seeking common ground amid deep divisions. The freeze on sanctions could pave the way for further diplomatic engagement, but persistent concerns over uranium enrichment and verification remain key obstacles. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether a renewed nuclear agreement can be reached or if tensions will escalate further.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Oil prices slip as rising OPEC+ output, tariff fears weigh on outlook
By Yuka Obayashi TOKYO (Reuters) - Oil prices edged lower in early Asian trade on Wednesday, weighed down by a loosening supply-demand balance following increasing OPEC+ output and lingering concerns over the global economic outlook due to tariff tensions. Brent crude futures dipped 5 cents, or 0.1%, to $65.58 a barrel by 0040 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $63.32 a barrel, down 9 cents, or 0.1%. Both benchmarks climbed about 2% on Tuesday to a two-week high, supported by worries over supply disruptions from Canadian wildfires and expectations that Iran will reject a U.S. nuclear deal proposal that is key to easing sanctions on the major oil producer. "Despite fears over Canadian supply and stalled Iran-U.S. nuclear talks, oil markets are struggling to extend gains," said Tsuyoshi Ueno, senior economist at NLI Research Institute, adding that OPEC+ production increases were capping the upside. Ueno said hopes for progress in U.S.-China trade talks were overshadowed by profit-taking, as investors remained cautious over the broader economic fallout from tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will likely speak this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday, days after Trump accused China of violating an agreement to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions. As the Trump administration pressed U.S. trading partners to provide their best offers by Wednesday, the protracted negotiations and moving deadlines have led economists to scale back growth forecasts. On Tuesday, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) cut its global growth forecast as the fallout from Trump's trade war takes a bigger toll on the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, scores of wildfires have swept across Canada since the start of May, forcing thousands of evacuations and disrupting crude oil production in the country. U.S. crude stocks fell by 3.3 million barrels in the week ended May 30, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Gasoline inventories rose by 4.7 million barrels and distillate stocks rose by about 760,000 barrels. [API/S] A Reuters poll of nine analysts estimated an average draw of 1 million barrels in crude stocks. [EIA/S] Official inventory data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is due on Wednesday.
Politico
41 minutes ago
- Politico
White House allies ‘disappointed' at Musk's opposition to the megabill
Republican allies close to the White House are privately argue that the former special government employee — who spent Tuesday afternoon blasting the spending bill and threatening to retaliate against its supporters — is opposing the bill because it harms the tech billionaire's business interests. The House-passed megabill represents the president's chief — and potentially only — major legislative priority this Congress. But Musk's opposition suggests that the coalition that vaulted Trump to the White House is still facing internal disagreement over it as it makes its way through the Senate. It marks another dust-up between the MAGA and Tech Right. And it raises the possibility some members face pressure from Musk if they ultimately support it. 'The West Wing is perplexed, unenthused, and disappointed' with Musk, who left the White House to attend to his ailing business empire, according to one White House official, who like others interviewed for this story were granted anonymity to be candid about an ally who spent hundreds of millions to ensconce them in the White House.
The Hill
43 minutes ago
- The Hill
Army hits recruiting goal four months ahead of schedule
The Army has hit its annual recruiting goal of 61,000 new active duty soldiers, four months ahead of the end of fiscal 2025 in September, the service announced Tuesday. The Army said the goal – 10 percent higher than the 55,000 recruits it sought last year – 'represents a significant turning point for the Army and indicates a renewed sense of patriotism and purpose among America's youth,' according to a statement. The surge in new potential troops comes as the Army has significantly ramped up its recruiting efforts over the past several years in response to its struggle with number shortfalls over the past decade. That outreach included loosening certain rules and restrictions to target young Americans who historically have been unqualified to serve due to tattoos, prior medical conditions or drug use. In 2023, the Army fell about 11,000 people short of its 65,000-person goal but rebounded in 2024 to meet its goal of 55,000, though just barely. The U.S. military as a whole struggled to entice young people to serve in the midst of and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as during periods of low unemployment across the country and the emergence of more attractive job opportunities within the private sector. It is unclear exactly why the uptick in enlistments occurred after the service struggled to meet its goals across the finish line last year, but the Trump administration has insisted that the recruiting momentum is a sign of renewed excitement to serve following the presidential election. 'I want to thank the commander in chief, President Trump, and Secretary of Defense Hegseth for their decisive leadership and support in equipping, training and supporting these future Soldiers as they face a world of global uncertainty and complex threats,' Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said in the statement. 'Putting Soldiers first is having a tangible impact and shows that young people across our country want to be part of the most lethal land fighting force the world has ever seen.'
