Araghchi says US nuclear deal proposal contains many ambiguities

“Zero enrichment is the code name for the consortium,” the IRGC-linked daily Javan wrote on Monday, referring to a plan that would effectively eliminate Iran’s domestic refinement of uranium.

The details of Washington’s proposal have not been officially revealed, but Javan asserted in its editorial that the draft calls for Iran to halt enrichment entirely.

Another conservative outlet, Khorasan, front-paged the story with the headline Suspicious Proposal.

“Based on available evidence, it is highly unlikely that the proposal delivered by Oman’s foreign minister will address Iran’s key demands,” wrote the daily, which is aligned with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s office.

Khorasan questioned why US negotiator Steve Witkoff sent the proposal through a mediator rather than delivering it directly to his Iranian counterpart during the upcoming round of Tehran-Washington negotiations.

A consortium would pose a threat to the security of Iran’s nuclear program, the paper argued, asserting that another round of talks would only take place if Iran accepts the proposal.

As of Monday evening in Tehran, the only official response to the proposal came from Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said during a visit to Cairo that the proposal is unfair.

The hardline publication Kayhan, whose editor-in-chief is appointed by Khamenei, also lambasted the idea.

“There is no sign of goodwill in the United States’ proposal. Its sole aim is to weaken and dismantle Iran’s peaceful nuclear program,” the daily wrote in a Monday editorial, stopping short of ruling out a compromise.

“Any retreat without guarantees will only invite further pressure,” it warned.

Major reformist outlet Etemad echoed the sentiment, differing only slightly in tone.

“Even if Iran accepts the proposal, there is no guarantee that the United States will uphold its commitments,” the daily quoted foreign policy scholar Mohsen Jalilvand.

Jalilvand pointed to a push by European powers to trigger the so-called snapback mechanism of UN sanctions suspended under the 2015 nuclear deal, asserting that the United States would welcome the added pressure on Tehran.

Meanwhile, Morteza Maki, an expert on European affairs, stated that developments in Europe, the United States, and the United Kingdom point to a coordinated effort to activate the trigger mechanism, which would reinstate all previous sanctions on Iran.

Despite mounting pressure—including threats from Israel—Maki said Tehran and Washington may still be able to strike an agreement.

An Iranian lawmaker said ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States are beneficial even if they fail to produce an agreement, and dismissed the possibility of a full-scale war in the absence of a deal.

“People should rest assured that even if no agreement is reached, we are not facing a full-blown war,” said Rouhollah Lak Aliabadi in comments to Didban Iran.

Aliabadi said Iran is always prepared for difficult scenarios, but remains open to a diplomatic settlement if a satisfactory one emerges.

He added that the nuclear talks are guided by Iran’s Supreme Leader, and that lead negotiator Abbas Araghchi operates strictly within the parameters set by Ali Khamenei.

“The strategy and red lines of the Islamic Republic are set by the leader,” he said. “Araghchi has never crossed those red lines and negotiates based on clear instructions.”

UN nuclear inspectors have lost visibility over critical parts of Iran’s atomic program, raising concerns over Tehran’s uranium enrichment as negotiations with the US stall, Reuters reported.

Last year, IAEA inspectors witnessed trucks delivering advanced IR-6 centrifuges to Iran’s Fordow facility, south of Tehran, but had no knowledge of their origin, an official familiar with the monitoring was quoted as saying by Reuters.

The IAEA no longer knows how many centrifuges Iran has or where parts are manufactured and stored. It has also lost access to key surveillance footage and can no longer conduct snap inspections at undeclared sites.

The latest confidential IAEA report says Iran is enriching uranium up to 60% purity — near weapons grade — and holds enough material for nine bombs if further enriched. No other nation has reached this level without building nuclear weapons, the watchdog said.

Despite withdrawing from enhanced oversight, Iran continues to allow regular IAEA inspections under its obligations as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Still, the IAEA says it cannot currently verify the program’s peaceful nature.

Iran plans to expand its nuclear power capacity over the next 18 years with the construction of two additional units at the Bushehr nuclear plant, its manager said on Tuesday.

Reza Banazadeh, head of the Bushehr facility, said the second unit will take 10 years to complete and the third around eight years. Once finished, the three units will generate a combined 3,100 megawatts of electricity.

Currently, 2,000 Iranian specialists operate the Bushehr plant, which he described as a showcase of domestic capability. “All critical roles, from control rooms to maintenance, are handled by Iranian experts,” he said.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, spokeswoman for the Iranian government, told reporters in Tehran that Washington’s “contradictory statements” were complicating the process and undermining trust.

“We are prepared for every scenario, but we will not leave the negotiating table,” Mohajerani said.

Reported offer diverges from US public line

A key source of friction is a draft proposal delivered to Iran on Saturday by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has been mediating between Tehran and Washington.

The document outlines a possible framework under which Iran could maintain limited low-level uranium enrichment on its soil, according to Axios and other US media outlets.

This reported flexibility contrasts with public remarks from senior US officials, including White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who have repeatedly said Washington would not permit any uranium enrichment and would demand full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

The proposal also includes limits on future enrichment, the dismantling of certain facilities, and phased sanctions relief tied to compliance verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Tehran says proposal lacks guarantees

Iranian officials have responded skeptically. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that the proposal lacked credible assurances on sanctions relief — a central Iranian demand.

A senior Iranian diplomat told Reuters the offer was a “non-starter,” citing inconsistencies between the US public position and what was conveyed in the draft.

Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, speaking during a visit to Cairo, confirmed that Tehran is still drafting its formal response.

Iran seen preparing negative response - Reuters

According to Reuters, a senior Iranian diplomat said Tehran is drafting a negative response to the US proposal, which could amount to a rejection. The unnamed diplomat cited by Reuters described the offer as failing to address Iran’s key demands, including recognition of its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.

Sources close to Iran’s negotiating team also criticized what they view as Washington’s shifting stance, which they say has created uncertainty about US intentions and credibility, Iranian state media reported on Monday.

CNN on Monday also reported that the next round of nuclear talks is “very uncertain and may not happen at all,” citing sources familiar with the negotiations.

A senior Iranian official told the network the US proposal was “incoherent and disjointed” and conflicted with the understandings reached during the fifth round in Rome. The official added that “the fact that the Americans constantly change their positions” has become a major obstacle to progress.

US officials reject claim of bad faith

Israel Hayom reported on Monday that American officials expected Tehran to accept some elements and object to others.

The outlet, citing unnamed US sources, said that the administration believes Iran’s response will be more measured and that further talks remain possible. A US official quoted in the outlet said negotiators could begin by addressing areas where the gaps are narrower.

The official also said that negotiations would not continue indefinitely and that all options remain under consideration.

Trump publicly contradicts reported offer

President Donald Trump added to the confusion on Monday when he wrote on Truth Social: “Under our potential Agreement — WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM!”

The statement directly contradicts media accounts of the proposal delivered to Tehran, which permits limited enrichment under strict international oversight — a provision aimed at accommodating Iran’s long-standing demand for civilian nuclear rights.

The gap between Trump’s public stance and the reported content of the offer has become a central point of contention for Iranian officials, who accuse Washington of negotiating in bad faith.

US senator demands transparency over reported ‘side deal’

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday warned that the Trump administration may be pursuing a side arrangement with Iran outside the scope of congressional oversight.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Schumer cited the Axios report and urged the administration to clarify whether informal commitments have been made. He said the alleged deal, if true, contradicts earlier statements by Rubio and Witkoff and risks undermining accountability.

Schumer also said any future agreement must address not only nuclear safeguards but also Iran’s support for regional militant groups.