Iran Reviews Omani Nuclear Proposal, Rejects Enrichment Pause Claims

Recent negotiations between Iran and the United States, facilitated by Omani proposals, have focused heavily on Iran's uranium enrichment program. Iran insists on retaining its sovereign right to enrich uranium for peaceful, civilian purposes as guaranteed by the Non-Proliferation Treaty, rejecting U.S. demands to halt enrichment entirely. Iranian officials have indicated a potential willingness to pause enrichment for a year and convert or ship highly enriched uranium abroad, contingent upon U.S. recognition of Iran's rights and release of frozen Iranian funds, but enrichment cessation is not accepted as permanent. The Omani proposal reportedly supports Iran's right to enrichment and does not include a total stop, aligning with Iran's stance that enrichment will not be stopped under any circumstances. U.S. officials maintain that any deal must include a commitment to abandon enrichment due to concerns over nuclear weapons development, highlighting a core point of contention. Despite these disagreements, both sides continue talks, with some progress noted, though a final agreement has yet to be reached.