According to anonymous Iranian and European officials on June 3, the United States proposed to take temporary measures in the US-Iran nuclear negotiations to allow Iran to continue low-level uranium enrichment activities while the United States and other countries develop a more detailed plan.
The New York Times reported on the 3rd that the United States and other countries will develop a more detailed plan to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons but allow it to obtain the fuel needed for new nuclear power plants.
According to the plan, the United States will assist Iran in building nuclear reactors and negotiate the construction of uranium enrichment facilities managed by a regional alliance of countries. Once Iran begins to obtain the above promised benefits, it must stop all uranium enrichment activities in its territory.
Iranian and European officials revealed that the plan has been submitted to Iran.
On the 4th local time, the US AXIOS news website quoted an anonymous senior Iranian official as saying that Iran is considering the proposal to form a regional uranium enrichment consortium under the framework of the Iran-US nuclear agreement, but this consortium must be built in Iran.
According to the Iranian official, "If the consortium operates on Iranian territory, it may be worth considering. However, if it is located outside the country, it is doomed to fail."
According to previous reports by multiple media, Oman, which is involved in the mediation of the Iran-US nuclear agreement, proposed to form a regional consortium for civilian uranium enrichment hosted by the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The site of the facility has not yet been determined, but the United States hopes to be located outside Iran.
According to reports, this consortium includes the United States, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and even Turkey, and will provide nuclear fuel to countries that need to develop civilian nuclear energy projects. The consortium is supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Oman's proposal is considered a compromise aimed at satisfying the positions of both the United States and Iran. US President Donald Trump stressed that the US-Iran nuclear agreement must prohibit Iran from conducting any form of uranium enrichment activities. He said,
"The International Atomic Energy Agency should have stopped Iran's "uranium enrichment" activities long ago. Under our potential agreement, we do not allow (Iran to carry out) any uranium enrichment activities."
Iran insists that uranium enrichment on its own soil is an uncompromising "red line." Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said on the 3rd that a country's bargaining chip for participating in negotiations is its own strength. If Iran does not have sufficient national defense, the United States can bomb Iran's nuclear facilities, and there is no need for negotiations.
Regarding the indirect talks between Iran and the United States, Iranian President Pezehiziyan said on the 3rd that Iran welcomes negotiations, but negotiations cannot be based on bullying or unilateral demands.
Local time on the 4th, Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei said that through unremitting efforts, Iran finally achieved a complete nuclear fuel cycle.
