In a major twist in U.S.-Iran ties, the Trump administration is weighing a plan to help Iran develop civilian nuclear energy. The initiative could unlock $30 billion in investments and ease sanctions, CNN reported.
The goal is to push Iran toward peace talks. This move marks a sharp shift in the long-standing standoff between the two nations.
The proposal came from a secret White House meeting last Friday. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Gulf allies. The meeting happened just a day after U.S. forces struck three key Iranian nuclear sites — Isfahan, Fordow, and Natanz.
President Trump called the strikes “spectacular” and a “bullseye.” But intelligence reports say they only caused temporary disruption.
According to CNN, the U.S. is offering Iran a $20–30 billion civilian nuclear plan. But the deal requires Iran to give up uranium enrichment. That condition has always been a U.S. red line.
Iran, however, says enrichment is vital for its energy needs. This difference could make talks tough.
The U.S. does not plan to fund the deal directly. Instead, it wants its Arab allies to finance the project. Proposals also suggest replacing the Fordow plant with a Western-backed non-enrichment facility.
Some sanctions may be lifted under the deal. This includes unfreezing $6 billion of Iran’s assets held abroad.
Despite U.S. hopes, Iran has not agreed. President Trump said peace talks were near. But Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the claim. He said Tehran has no plans for talks.
Meanwhile, there are reports that Iran secretly moved 400 kg of uranium before the U.S. strikes. If true, this could hurt future talks. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the claim. He said there is no confirmed intelligence.
As secret talks continue, the world waits. The proposal could change U.S.-Iran relations — or become another lost chance in their decades-long conflict.
