From bombs to bargains: US dangles $30 bn nuclear energy deal to Iran

The United States has held behind-the-scenes talks in recent days to reach a deal with Iran regarding the regime’s nuclear programme and multiple proposals have been floated, according to a report.

The news has come just days after the war between an Israel and Iran ended with an uneasy truce brokered by US President Donald Trump with Qatar’s help. The United States became party to the conflict as it struck three Iranian nuclear sites last week.

The CNN has reported that proposals floated in these talks include providing Iran with up to $30 billion in investments for a civilian nuclear programme, easing sanctions, and allowing the regime to access billions in funds frozen abroad.

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Despite such offers, the United States would not budge on its demand that Iran should not have any uranium enrichment capability , according to the report.

The United States and Iran have held five rounds of talks so far about the regime’s nuclear programme. Even as Israeli offensive scuttled those talks, Trump has said that the two sides will meet next week to resume talks. However, Iran has not confirmed any meeting.

Trump offers Iran carrots to reach nuclear deal

With proposals floated in the secret talks, Trump has offered carrots to Iran to persuade the regime to give up the nuclear weapons programme and instead pursue a civilian nuclear programme with no enrichment capabilities.

Some of the details were hashed out in a secret meeting between Steve Witkoff’s, Trump’s Middle East Envoy, and US partners in the Gulf region, according to CNN.

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The following proposals have emerged from these talks:

• Investment of around $20-30 billion in a new Iranian civilian nuclear programme that does not have enrichment capabilities. An official told CNN that the money would not come from the United States and the Trump administration expects it to come from partners in the Gulf.

• Easing sanctions on Iran to some extent as an incentive to Iran to accept terms. This could include allowing Iran to access billions of frozen funds abroad.

• US-backed Gulf nations could replace the Fordow nuclear site with a non-enrichment nuclear site for a civilian nuclear programme.

Before talks collapsed after the Israeli offensive, Witkoff had floated a bridge proposal that allowed Iran low-level nuclear enrichment until a coalition of Arab nations would come up that would provide Iran with low-level enriched uranium required for its civilian nuclear programme.