US Weighs $20B Deal for Iran’s Uranium

U.S. officials are considering a proposal that would trade access to billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds for Iran giving up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium—what President Trump has described as “nuclear dust.” At the same time, President Trump has publicly maintained that no cash payments would be made as part of the arrangement.

According to two U.S. officials and two other sources familiar with the discussions, negotiators are drafting a short, three-page framework. The proposal being discussed would allow Iran to regain access to roughly $20 billion in previously frozen assets if it turns over its reserves of enriched uranium. Iran is believed to hold close to 2,000 kilograms of enriched uranium, including about 450 kilograms enriched to 60 percent.

Diplomatic efforts are being facilitated by Pakistan, with assistance from Egypt and Turkey. Another round of negotiations is expected to take place this weekend in Islamabad.

Under the draft framework, part of Iran’s most highly enriched uranium would be transferred to a third country. The remainder would be diluted within Iran under international oversight. The plan also includes a temporary halt to uranium enrichment. U.S. negotiators have reportedly proposed a 20-year freeze, while Iran has pushed for a shorter period of about five years.

The proposal would allow Iran’s nuclear facilities to remain above ground while leaving underground sites inactive. It also touches on security and shipping concerns in the Strait of Hormuz. However, some contentious topics—such as Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for regional proxy groups—are not expected to be included in the framework. That omission could draw criticism from Israel and Republican lawmakers who opposed the 2015 nuclear agreement and are likely to resist another move that would release large sums of Iranian funds.

Reports also indicate that the Trump administration has warned that military strikes could resume if negotiations fail to produce a workable agreement.

Meanwhile, some former diplomats have voiced concern about the experience level of members of the U.S. negotiating team, which reportedly includes Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Critics argue that a lack of deep diplomatic experience among the envoys could make reaching a stable agreement more difficult and could prolong tensions that affect both regional security and the global economy.