Several international media are reporting on a proposal made by Iran to create a consortium with Arab nations, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to enrich uranium for peaceful use in the production of nuclear energy. Iran hopes that this would help get around U.S. objections to Iran enriching uranium on its own in the country. This is reportedly the proposal by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to President Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff during the fourth round of bilateral talks in Muscat, Oman on May 11.
According to Britain’s The Guardian it’s not clear whether Araghchi made the proposal directly to Witkoff, but it is in any case circulating in Tehran. Neither Witkoff’s office, the State Department or the U.S. National Security Council have responded to requests for comment.
On May 13 the New York Times cited four Iranian officials “with knowledge of the matter” and added that on May 12 the plan was prominently featured in several Iranian media. The operation would be based in Iran, with Saudi and Emirati personnel, who would have access to Iranian technology. That would be a big concession on Iran’s part, and reflects the dramatic improvement in Iran-Saudi relations that was brokered by China in March 2023. Enrichment would be reduced to the 3.67% levels included in the original 2015, six-nation Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
