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The United States is secretly pursuing diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement with Iran, according to four sources cited by CNN. The Trump administration is striving to bring Iran back to the negotiating table and ensure compliance with U.S. terms. Discussions include up to $30 billion in funding for Iran’s civilian nuclear energy program, easing sanctions, and releasing billions in Iran’s frozen global assets, all conducted with utmost secrecy.
Despite military strikes in Iran and Israel over the past two weeks, the U.S. and key Middle Eastern players have held behind-the-scenes talks with Iranian officials. These discussions have continued following a ceasefire agreement. Trump administration officials state that several preliminary and evolving proposals have been presented, with a non-negotiable condition that Iran’s uranium enrichment must be reduced to zero. Iran insists it enriches uranium based on its needs. Two sources provided CNN with a draft proposal containing multiple incentives for Iran.
On Friday, a clandestine White House meeting involving U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Gulf partners finalized certain details, confirmed by two sources to CNN. The proposed terms include a $20-30 billion investment in a new non-enrichment nuclear program for civilian energy purposes, with funding to be sourced from Arab partners rather than directly from the U.S. Other incentives include potential sanction relief and access to $6 billion in Iran’s frozen assets held in foreign banks.
A Trump administration official told CNN that the U.S. is willing to lead these talks but will not commit to funding. The outcome remains uncertain, with creative proposals being explored. U.S. Special Envoy Witkoff told CNBC that the U.S. seeks a peace agreement, with all proposals designed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He added that Iran can maintain a peaceful civilian nuclear program but cannot enrich uranium, instead importing limited amounts of enriched uranium under regular oversight.
AI/MR
