Trump: U.S. Proposal Sent to Iran, Warns of Nuclear Enrichment Standoff/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump confirmed the U.S. has sent Iran a formal proposal amid intensifying nuclear talks. Disputes over uranium enrichment remain a key obstacle, as tensions rise in the Middle East. Iran has yet to acknowledge receiving the proposal, citing mixed U.S. messaging.
Trump Confirms U.S. Proposal Sent to Iran: Quick Looks
- Trump says Iran has a U.S. proposal on halting its rapidly advancing nuclear program.
- Remarks were made aboard Air Force One, concluding Trump’s Middle East diplomatic tour.
- Iran denies receiving a formal proposal, calling U.S. positions “contradictory and inconsistent.”
- Talks are ongoing in Oman and Rome, mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi.
- The major dispute remains uranium enrichment, with the U.S. demanding full cessation.
- Trump warns of “something bad” if Iran delays, hinting at potential military action.
- U.S. intelligence does not believe Iran is actively building a bomb, but notes proximity to weaponization.
- Iranian officials suggest the U.S. strategy is confused or manipulative, citing conflicting demands.
- Israel has threatened unilateral strikes on Iranian facilities, further escalating regional tensions.
- Talks aim to lift economic sanctions, in exchange for limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Trump: U.S. Proposal Sent to Iran, Warns of Nuclear Enrichment Standoff
Deep Look
President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that Iran has received a U.S. proposal concerning its expanding nuclear program — marking the first time the administration has acknowledged formally presenting terms to Tehran during ongoing negotiations. The revelation adds urgency to a complex and high-stakes diplomatic effort aimed at preventing Iran from reaching nuclear weapons capability.
Trump made the remarks while aboard Air Force One as he departed Abu Dhabi, wrapping up a three-nation Middle East tour that also included Saudi Arabia and Qatar. At nearly every stop, Trump underscored the U.S. position that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon — even as American intelligence maintains that Tehran has not yet made a decision to pursue one.
When asked directly by a reporter whether a formal U.S. proposal had been given to Iranian officials, Trump responded, “They have a proposal. But most importantly, they know they have to move quickly, or something bad is going to happen.” He offered no details about the proposal’s contents.
So far, Iran has not publicly confirmed receiving the proposal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking Thursday at the Tehran International Book Fair, denied that his government had been handed a formal offer. He criticized what he described as “contradictory” and “inconsistent” signals from Washington, suggesting they either reflect internal disarray or a calculated negotiation ploy.
“We are hearing many contradictory statements from the United States — from Washington, from the president, and from the new administration,” Araghchi said. He highlighted how U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff initially suggested Iran could continue enriching uranium at 3.67%, before abruptly shifting to demand an end to all enrichment.
The ongoing negotiations between U.S. and Iranian representatives have taken place discreetly in Oman and Rome, facilitated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, a longstanding diplomatic bridge between the two countries. The aim is to reach a deal that restricts Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for the easing of harsh economic sanctions that have crippled its economy.
One of the central sticking points remains uranium enrichment. Iran insists on retaining its right to enrich uranium — a process it argues is essential for civilian energy purposes. The Trump administration, however, demands that Tehran cease all enrichment as part of any deal, citing concerns over how quickly enriched uranium can be converted for weapons use.
The stakes are high. Trump has repeatedly issued warnings that failure to reach an agreement could trigger U.S. military action. Meanwhile, Israel has threatened to act unilaterally if it perceives Iran as nearing nuclear breakout capability — a stance that adds further volatility to a region already inflamed by the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Though U.S. intelligence agencies currently assess that Iran is not actively constructing a nuclear bomb, they acknowledge the program has advanced to a point where weaponization could be achieved relatively quickly if the political decision is made.
Iranian officials continue to walk a fine line, signaling that while they are open to diplomacy, any prolonged delay or perceived threat could prompt them to reconsider their long-held stance against building a nuclear arsenal. In turn, the Trump administration is leaning heavily on pressure — both economic and rhetorical — to compel compliance.
Whether this latest proposal can bridge the gap remains to be seen. The next few weeks will be critical, as both sides weigh the cost of failure against the fragile possibilities of diplomatic success.
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