Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that his administration has submitted a formal proposal to Iran concerning its nuclear programme, marking a rare admission amid ongoing indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he concluded a diplomatic visit to the United Arab Emirates, Trump stated that the U.S. is engaged in “very serious negotiations” aimed at securing a long-term peace agreement with Iran. “They’ve got our proposal,” he said, referencing the document reportedly delivered through recent talks mediated by Oman.
“We’re not going to let nuclear dust rise in Iran,” Trump asserted. “I believe we’re nearing a deal – maybe even one that avoids further conflict. But they know time is limited. If they don’t act soon, the consequences won’t be good.”
Despite Trump’s remarks, Iranian officials have publicly denied receiving any formal proposal. Speaking at the Tehran International Book Fair on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “We have not received anything from the Americans.” He also criticized the Trump administration’s mixed messaging, calling it either a sign of confusion or a deliberate negotiating tactic.
U.S. envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has reportedly played a key role in the discussions with Araghchi. However, Iran has raised concerns about inconsistency in U.S. positions. Witkoff initially suggested Iran might be permitted to enrich uranium to 3.67%, a level agreed upon under the 2015 nuclear accord, but later insisted that all enrichment should cease.
“We’re hearing multiple, often contradictory voices from Washington, sometimes even in a single day,” Araghchi said.
Recent meetings between American and Iranian representatives took place in Oman and Rome, facilitated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, a longstanding intermediary between the two sides. The negotiations aim to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in return for easing U.S. sanctions, which have severely impacted Iran’s economy.
The high-stakes diplomacy comes amid renewed threats from Trump, who has warned of potential military action should a deal fail to materialize. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have hinted at the possibility of pursuing a nuclear weapon, citing the country’s growing stockpile of enriched uranium.
In parallel, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi met with European diplomats in Istanbul on Friday to discuss the progress of nuclear talks with Washington. Representatives from the UK, France, and Germany – collectively known as the E3 – were present.
In a post on social media, Gharibabadi indicated that discussions were productive and that further talks involving China, Russia, and the United States may follow if necessary. These parties were all signatories to the original 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump withdrew from in 2018, reimposing sanctions on Iran’s vital oil and financial sectors.
In response, Tehran gradually scaled back its compliance with the agreement, escalating tensions and raising global concerns about the potential for a nuclear crisis.
