Iran Hands Over Nuclear Proposal in Geneva – Claims It Debunks All US Excuses

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva yesterday and handed a detailed draft nuclear agreement proposal to Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, who continues to mediate the indirect US-Iran talks. Iranian state-affiliated media immediately hailed the document as one that "debunks all American pretexts regarding Iran's nuclear program," warning that rejection would expose Washington's diplomacy as nothing more than a maneuver.

A senior Iranian official speaking to Al Jazeera outlined the core elements of the offer. He explained that the proposal includes technical and practical pathways demonstrating Iran has no interest in nuclear weapons, focuses on lifting American sanctions, addresses US concerns, reaffirms enrichment as an inalienable sovereign right, and suggests a temporary freeze on enrichment activities. The official stressed that permanent zero enrichment, dismantlement of nuclear facilities, and transfer of enriched uranium stockpiles are completely rejected. Instead, the plan envisions reducing stockpiles to low enrichment levels under IAEA supervision while securing mutual economic interests, particularly in trade and investment.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi noted that the third round of talks in Geneva paused for consultations and is expected to resume between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Geneva time. He criticized "contradictory statements from some American figures" that continue to sow doubt, saying such remarks belong inside the negotiating room rather than public airwaves. Qassemi added that these inconsistencies create the impression of internal US disagreement and only heighten Iranian suspicions about true intentions.

Omani Foreign Minister al-Busaidi confirmed the discussions would continue later in the day, describing the exchanges as involving "creative and positive ideas." He expressed hope for further progress. Meanwhile, a senior Iranian figure told Reuters that a framework agreement remains possible if the United States separates the nuclear issue from other topics. He acknowledged that several ideas raised during the talks require further consultation with leadership in Tehran and that significant gaps still exist between the sides.

CNN reported that the American delegation, led by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, insisted on strict limits on uranium enrichment and demanded dismantlement of key nuclear facilities. The US side emphasized that any final deal must include a permanent halt to enrichment and a long-term verification mechanism. Discussions centered on bridging differences over enrichment levels and assessing whether Iran's proposal meets the benchmarks set by President Trump, though Tehran's position on several critical points remains unclear.

The talks come amid continued US military posturing in the region and repeated statements from Trump that Iran must publicly renounce nuclear weapons ambitions, a demand Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected by reaffirming Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's fatwa against nuclear arms development. Pezeshkian declared, "This clearly means Iran will not develop nuclear weapons."