Washington proposes a peaceful nuclear deal in exchange for giving up enrichment, will Iran accept?

Before the start of the third round of talks between Iran and the United States, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio proposed an interesting idea that could reshape the Iranian nuclear file. Rubio, in an interview on "The Free Press" podcast, stated that President Donald Trump's administration is willing to allow Tehran to possess a civilian nuclear program, with one condition: to rely entirely on imported nuclear fuel. The aim of this proposal, as Rubio explained, is to find a middle ground that prevents Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, without depriving it of its right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. He added that Iran can operate its reactors, but uranium enrichment within its borders must completely cease. This way, the path to creating a nuclear bomb is closed off to them. Rubio did not hide the fact that the road to an agreement is still long, saying that his country is "very far from any understanding" with Tehran, but prefers to reach a peaceful solution rather than military options. On the other hand, Iran remains steadfast in its position, refusing to give up its right to uranium enrichment, and insisting that its program is solely for energy production, not for making weapons. The contrast is not limited to these statements, as U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz emphasized last month the necessity for Iran to agree to a "complete dismantling" of its nuclear program. Meanwhile, Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, remained ambiguous, hinting at the possibility of accepting an enrichment level not exceeding 3.67%, the percentage stipulated in the 2015 nuclear agreement. It is worth mentioning that Trump withdrew from this agreement in 2018 and reimposed strict sanctions on Iran, despite its compliance for a full year after the U.S. withdrawal. At that time, he considered the agreement "disastrous" and unsuccessful in curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions. However, the situation today is different. According to the latest reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran possesses 274.8 kilograms of enriched uranium up to 60%, a number close to the 90% required for nuclear weapon production, raising international concerns. The American offer seems to be a new test of Iran's intentions, either choosing the path of de-escalation and accepting a limited nuclear program under strict supervision, or continuing escalation, with associated risks and consequences that may not be favorable.