Axios reported in an exclusive piece that the United States has, in a confidential proposal to Iran’s regime, allowed limited uranium enrichment on Iranian soil—an action that contradicts the public positions of Trump administration officials, including Steve Witkoff, the White House special envoy, and Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State.
The proposal, which was reportedly delivered to Tehran on Saturday by Witkoff, would allow Iran to continue low-level uranium enrichment for a duration to be determined in upcoming negotiations.
Sources familiar with the matter told Axios that the proposal opens a new path toward reaching an agreement but creates the risk of giving the regime a path to obtaining nuclear weapons.
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According to these sources, under the proposal, Iran would be allowed to enrich uranium up to a 3% threshold, but it must temporarily shut down its underground facilities and halt the development of advanced centrifuges.
Strict monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is also expected to be implemented, along with the immediate enforcement of the Additional Protocol. Gradual lifting of sanctions will depend on verification of Iran’s compliance by both Washington and the IAEA.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios “President Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb. Special Envoy Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it’s in their best interest to accept it. Out of respect for the ongoing deal, the Administration will not comment on details of the proposal to the media”.
In response, Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s regime foreign ministry, stated that Iran has not yet received sufficient guarantees regarding the timing and manner of sanction relief and is still reviewing the U.S. proposal.
He also rejected the White House’s assessment that the proposal is “acceptable” to Iran.
