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Iranian foreign relations

Trump Administration Proposes Multi-Billion-Dollar Sanctions Relief and Investment in Civilian Nuclear Program for Iran

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In a bid to rekindle diplomatic talks with Iran, the Trump administration is quietly exploring a multi-billion-dollar proposal that offers sanctions relief and investment in a civilian nuclear program, as long as Tehran agrees to ban uranium enrichment. The proposal, which involves $20-30 billion in investment and access to $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets, has been floated through backchannel talks, despite recent military escalation between Israel, Iran, and the US.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration is considering a proposal that offers Iran access to $20-30 billion to develop a non-enrichment civilian nuclear energy program, alongside sanctions relief and unfrozen assets.
  • The proposal includes an investment of $20-30 billion in a civilian nuclear program, no enrichment of uranium by Iran, sanctions relief, access to $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets, and repurposing of the Fordow site into a non-enriching facility.
  • The US would not directly fund the project, hoping Gulf allies would foot the bill.
  • Key terms of the proposal were discussed in a confidential meeting at the White House on June 21 between US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Gulf partners.
  • Witkoff said the US is proposing a model for Iran's nuclear energy program similar to the UAE's, which relies on foreign-supplied enriched uranium and includes international monitoring.

Statistics:

  • $20-30 billion investment in a civilian nuclear program
  • $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets to be unfrozen
  • Five rounds of talks between the US and Iran before the latest military escalation
  • Sixth round of talks scuttled due to Israel's strikes
  • US-Iran talks resumed through intermediaries, primarily Qatar, after the US retaliatory bombing campaign

Sources:

  • "US quietly floating a multi-million-dollar proposal to Iran--offering sanctions relief in exchange for a cessation of uranium enrichment", CNN, June 2025 (no exact date given)
  • "The Trump administration is quietly floating a multi-billion-dollar proposal to Iran--offering sanctions relief and investment in a civilian nuclear program, but with one uncompromising condition: a total ban on uranium enrichment", CNN, June 2025 (no exact date given)
  • "The US is considering offering Iran access to as much as $30 billion to develop a non-enrichment civilian nuclear energy program, alongside sanctions relief and the unfreezing of billions in Iranian assets", CNN, June 2025 (no exact date given)
  • "Trump administration official emphasizes Gulf allies would pay for Iran's new nuclear program", CNBC, June 2025 (no exact date given)
  • "US-Iran talks resume after US strikes, but mutual distrust remains high", The New York Times, June 2025 (no exact date given)

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