Amid ongoing international concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program, the United States has put forth a proposal to establish a nuclear energy consortium involving Arab nations, under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This initiative is seen as a potential strategy to mitigate tensions in the Middle East.
The proposal marks a strategic shift in the US approach to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, following several rounds of mediations led by Oman between Iranian and US officials. The plan would require Tehran to minimize or halt its uranium enrichment activities in exchange for greater cooperation in nuclear energy development.
Despite its promise, the initiative faces significant challenges, particularly the deep-seated distrust between the parties involved. Previous negotiations have concluded with little progress, and the current proposal is a reformulation of earlier agreements, incorporating both technical and economic incentives to appeal to Iran. This comes amid an internal economic crisis in the Persian Gulf nation.
Unlike its previous approach, which was outlined in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the US is now adapting to the current security landscape by seeking to effectively freeze the nuclear race. Under the JCPOA, Iran had agreed to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the US withdrawal from the deal in 2018 reignited hostilities, leading Iran to enhance its nuclear capabilities.
The timing of the proposal coincides with a recent IAEA report that indicates Iran is accelerating its production of highly enriched uranium—a development that raises alarms in Washington and Tel Aviv regarding the potential for nuclear weapons development. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that nuclear weapons are unacceptable, aiming to dispel fears of escalation and maintain the narrative that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful.
Analysts contend that this new proposition may serve as both international and regional pressure on Iran, suggesting that a rejection of the initiative could further undermine the claim of peaceful intentions behind its nuclear program. The White House has emphasized the benefits of this proposal for all parties involved, although reports have described it as lacking comprehensive measures, instead offering preliminary elements for a potential joint regional nuclear energy framework.
The focal point now shifts to how Iran will respond to this latest overture and whether it will accept this new agreement. Iran has a bargaining advantage as it continues to uphold a dual narrative of defending its nuclear program while disavowing the development of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, Iran is not only enhancing its enrichment capabilities, putting itself near the nuclear threshold, but it also wields substantial influence with allies in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.
Concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions have persisted since the early 2000s, intensifying with the discovery of undeclared nuclear facilities in Natanz and Arak. As such, apprehension among global nuclear powers and the IAEA has grown, casting suspicion on the military objectives behind Iran’s nuclear advancements.
image source from：https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/politics/the-united-states-proposes-creating-regional-nuclear-alliance-that-includes-iran/20250606100000215569.html
