ALBAWABA - In a big political move, President Trump's administration has been talking to Iran behind closed doors. They have offered a multibillion-dollar plan in exchange for Tehran stopping its nuclear enriching operations.
CNN cited sources who said that the offer includes $20–30 billion in possible funding for a domestic nuclear program, some release from sanctions, and access to $6 billion in frozen assets—as long as Iran agrees to stop enriching uranium.
Israeli attacks on Iran are still going on, but talks between U.S., Middle Eastern, and Iranian leaders have continued behind the scenes. Reports say that these talks have continued this week after the peace between Iran and Israel. Last Friday, the day before the U.S. attacked key Iranian sites with drones, U.S. representative Steve Witkoff and Gulf state partners met behind closed doors at the White House to talk about the plan.
According to people who know about the talks, the plan is based on the U.S. helping Iran build a safe nuclear energy program. What's in the package:
On the other hand, U.S. officials made it clear that Iran must stop enriching uranium totally. The United States is still strong in its position, even though Iran says it has the right to process uranium for good reasons.
A top U.S. official made it clear that the money would not come straight from Washington. Instead, the United States' Gulf partners would have to pay for it. One idea being thought about is replacing Iran's recently bombed Fordow nuclear plant with a new program that doesn't use enrichment.
The United States has suggested that Iran copy the United Arab Emirates' nuclear program by buying enriched uranium from other countries instead of making it in Iran. In an interview with CNBC, Witkoff said again that the U.S. wants a "comprehensive peace agreement" that would keep Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
On Wednesday, President Trump announced that the United States will meet with Iranian officials next week and will try to get Iran to officially give up its nuclear plans. He didn't say that easing some sanctions against Iran would never happen if they follow through.
The U.S. approach has changed a lot with this plan. Instead of going to war directly, they want to use economic benefits to talk to Iran about limiting its nuclear program.
