Oman, US explore nuclear partnership with uranium enrichment consortium

Oman and the US are discussing the creation of a uranium enrichment consortium.

One idea that was raised by Oman and adopted by the US calls for establishing a regional consortium that will enrich uranium for civilian nuclear purposes under monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the US, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

One big question is where the consortium's uranium enrichment facilities would be located. The US wants them to be outside Iran. Another idea is for the US to recognize Iran's right to enrich uranium, while Iran fully suspends its uranium enrichment.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that White House envoy Steve Witkoff sent Iran "a detailed and acceptable proposal" for a nuclear deal on May 31. The written US proposal is an attempt to resolve the issue that has log-jammed the talks: Iran's demand to continue enriching uranium on its soil. Iran has consistently said it won't sign any deal that does not allow enrichment, while US officials have publicly committed to denying Iran that option.

To get a deal, something has to give. An IAEA report published Saturday stated that Iran has accumulated more than 400kg of 60 per cent enriched uranium. If enriched to 90 per cent, such a quantity is enough for 10 nuclear bombs. A second IAEA report published on May 31 made clear that Iran hasn't given satisfactory answers to IAEA investigations regarding several undeclared nuclear sites in the country. 

The updated proposal was a result of the fifth round of negotiations between Iran and the US in Rome a week ago, sources say. The Iranians asked to get the US 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 May 31. 

US 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. 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.”

By Naila Huseynova