The United States delivered its initial official nuclear proposal to Iran today, just hours after UN nuclear watchdogs disclosed a significant uptick in Iran’s accumulation of highly enriched uranium, according to a report by The New York Times.
Rather than submitting a complete agreement, U.S. officials presented a set of key points. These included a call for Iran to halt its uranium enrichment efforts and participate in a regional nuclear energy initiative alongside the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and several other Arab nations.
The proposal was transmitted through Oman and acknowledged by both Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the White House as having been received.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, as quoted in the New York Times, that President Trump “has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb.” She added, “Special Envoy Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it’s in their best interest to accept it.”
In response, Araghchi said Iran’s reply would be shaped by “the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran.”
Despite the diplomatic outreach, Iran has continued to expand its stock of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, which now totals around 900 pounds, according to two separate IAEA assessments reviewed by The New York Times. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi expressed deep concern over this escalation, particularly since Iran has not been recognized as a nuclear weapons state.
Reports also indicated that in May, President Trump blocked an Israeli plan to attack Iranian nuclear facilities. “I want it very strong where we can go in with inspectors, we can take whatever we want, we can blow up whatever we want, but nobody’s getting killed,” Trump said earlier this week.
In a highly unusual move, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office released a statement on the Jewish Sabbath, reacting to the IAEA findings. “The IAEA has reported a grave and unequivocal report on Iran’s nuclear program,” the statement warned. “The agency presents a stark picture that serves as a clear warning sign: despite countless warnings by the international community, Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons program.”
“The report strongly reinforces what Israel has been saying for years — the purpose of Iran’s nuclear program is not peaceful. This is evident from the alarming scope of Iran’s uranium enrichment activity. Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever.”
“The report clearly indicates that Iran remains in non-compliance of its fundamental commitments and obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and continues to withhold cooperation from IAEA inspectors.”
The Israeli statement concluded with a direct and urgent message: “The international community must act now to stop Iran.”
{Matzav.com}