U.S. gives Iran updated nuclear deal offer

by Barak Ravid

White House envoy Steve Witkoff sent Iran "a detailed and acceptable proposal" for a nuclear deal on Saturday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

Why it matters: The written U.S. proposal is an attempt to resolve the issue that has log-jammed the talks: Iran's demand to continue enriching uranium on its soil, U.S. officials say.

Zoom in: One idea that was raised by Oman and adopted by the U.S. calls for establishing a regional consortium that will enrich uranium for civilian nuclear purposes under monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the U.S., according to a U.S. official and a source with knowledge of the issue.

• One big question is where the consortium's uranium enrichment facilities would be located. The U.S. wants them to be outside Iran, the source familiar said.

• Another idea is for the U.S. to recognize Iran's right to enrich uranium, while Iran fully suspends its uranium enrichment.

Between the lines: Iran has consistently said it won't sign any deal that does not allow enrichment, while U.S. officials have publicly committed to denying Iran that option. To get a deal, something has to give.

Driving the news: An IAEA report published Saturday stated that Iran has accumulated more than 400kg of 60% enriched uranium. If enriched to 90%, such a quantity is enough for 10 nuclear bombs.

• A second IAEA report published Saturday made clear that Iran hasn't given satisfactory answers to IAEA investigations regarding several undeclared nuclear sites in the country.

Behind the scenes: The updated proposal was a result of the fifth round of negotiations between Iran and the U.S. in Rome a week ago, sources say.

• The Iranians asked to get the U.S. position in writing after Witkoff made an oral proposal during the fourth round of talks and elaborated on it during the fifth round.

• Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi gave Witkoff's proposal to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a visit to Tehran on Saturday.

State of play: U.S. officials say they're aiming to first reach a "basic agreement" laying out the principles for the nuclear deal.

• If such an agreement is reached, technical teams from both sides will hammer out a detailed agreement.

What they're saying: Leavitt argued it’s "in Iran's best interest to accept the proposal."

• Araghchi said Iran will respond to the proposal "in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the Iranian people."