For the first time since the latest round of nuclear talks began, American negotiators have now reportedly presented a written proposal to their Iranian counterparts, signaling a potential shift in a two-decade standoff over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
The offer came last weekend during the fourth round of negotiations since April 12, according to people briefed on the matter.
The U.S. move, described as a framework rather than a comprehensive agreement, appears to have been met with cautious optimism. Iranian officials reportedly agreed to take the proposal back to Tehran for further discussion.
The contents of the offer were first reported by Axios. Neither delegation responded to requests for comment.
President Donald J. Trump, speaking Thursday in Doha, Qatar, struck an uncharacteristically measured tone on the prospects of diplomacy.
“I think we’re getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this,” he said, gesturing to the possibility of military confrontation. “There’s a very, very nice step, and there’s a violent step—violence like people haven’t seen before.”
Trump’s remarks followed a report citing an interview with Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in which Shamkhani reiterated Iran’s willingness to negotiate.
“It’s still possible,” he said. “If the Americans act as they say, for sure we can have better relations.”
Shamkhani reaffirmed Iran’s longstanding position: a refusal to give up its uranium enrichment program, but a willingness to scale it back.
He said Tehran could commit to not producing nuclear weapons, dispose of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and restrict enrichment to low levels needed for civilian use—measures in line with the 2015 nuclear accord from which Trump withdrew the U.S. in 2018.
Oil markets reacted swiftly, with prices falling more than 3% on hopes that easing sanctions could resume Iranian crude exports.
The U.S. proposal comes as both sides hint at a new approach. Rather than reviving the detailed 2015 agreement, negotiators may be eyeing a looser framework establishing broad principles.
Iranian officials have discussed the idea of a nuclear consortium with regional partners, such as Saudi Arabia, in which Iran would export its enriched uranium in exchange for investment.
But such a plan appears to conflict with Washington’s firm stance against continued Iranian enrichment.
With no firm deal yet in sight, officials suggest that any final accord would need approval from Iran’s supreme leadership. Still, the fact that a formal U.S. offer has been tabled marks a potentially significant step forward.
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