CNN: The US proposes to provide Iran with $3 billion in exchange for its abandonment of uranium enrichment
June 27, 2025 05:45
Illustration related to Iran's uranium enrichment.
CNN reports that under the framework of attempts to restart negotiations with Iran, the Trump administration is discussing the possibility of providing up to $3 billion in funding to Tehran to support the development of its peaceful nuclear program.
The network said that as an exchange, Tehran "must unconditionally" abandon its uranium enrichment activities.
According to sources, the United States has been discussing investment matters with Middle Eastern countries in the context of renewed tensions between the US and Iran, Israel. It is expected that the funds will not come from the US, but rather from Arab countries.
"The US is prepared to lead these negotiations. Someone has to pay for the implementation of the nuclear program, but we will not take on such obligations," said a government official.
US officials said multiple proposals have already been made, including the possible lifting of some sanctions on Iran, as well as allowing Tehran to access $6 billion in frozen assets held in foreign bank accounts.
Another idea is for the US' allies in the Persian Gulf to fund the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by US attacks at the Fordow nuclear facility - again, without allowing uranium enrichment activities.
On the previous day, Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Whitlock told CNBC that the US is working toward a "comprehensive peace agreement." The White House emphasized that the core goal of all proposals is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Given the recent developments (Iran and Israel attacking each other, the US launching an attack on Iran's nuclear center), the White House hopes that Tehran will accept the US conditions.
However, CNN reported that according to analysis by Iranian experts, the Iranian government would instead believe that it needs nuclear weapons. Earlier this week, the Iranian parliament approved a suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Even before the US attack on the night of June 22, the Iranian government had already significantly restricted IAEA personnel from entering its nuclear facilities.
According to IAEA data, as of mid-May, Iran had nearly 409 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. Bloomberg reported that theoretically, this amount of uranium could be used to make ten nuclear warheads. The head of the agency, Rafael Grossi, stated that the exact location of these materials is unknown. Iran claims that it had already moved its uranium reserves out of the attacked facilities. TASS added that the IAEA estimates that a large portion of the uranium was preserved.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7521685325454885417/
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