U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has conveyed to the Iranian regime an updated, “detailed and acceptable” proposal regarding its nuclear program, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Saturday.
“It’s in their best interest to accept it,” Leavitt declared, adding: “Out of respect for the ongoing deal, the administration will not comment on details of the proposal to the media.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi confirmed on X that his Omani counterpart had shared Witkoff’s terms with Tehran, writing that his government would respond “appropriately” to it, “in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran.”
The latest proposal came following the fifth round of nuclear talks between the Islamic Republic and Washington, in Rome on May 23.
Despite both the United States and Iran taking a tough stance in public ahead of the meeting, Aragchi said there was potential for progress after Oman made several proposals during the talks, Reuters reported at the time.
“We have just completed one of the most professional rounds of talks. ... We firmly stated Iran’s position,” Aragchi told state TV. “The fact that we are now on a reasonable path, in my view, is itself a sign of progress.”
He added, “The proposals and solutions will be reviewed in respective capitals ... and the next round of talks will be scheduled accordingly.”
Witkoff’s most recent proposal seeks to resolve the regime’s demand that it be allowed to continue enriching uranium on Iranian soil, U.S. officials told Axios on Saturday.
According to a U.S. official and a second source familiar with the matter, Witkoff adopted a proposal by Oman to establish a regional consortium that would enrich uranium for civilian use, under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United States government.
An unresolved issue is reportedly the location of the consortium’s facilities. The Trump administration prefers they be outside Iran.
Another proposal under discussion reportedly involves the United States recognizing Iran’s right to enrich uranium, in exchange for Iran suspending its enrichment activities, according to Axios.
A “wide-ranging” IAEA report found that Iran conducted secret nuclear activities with material not declared to the IAEA at three locations that have long been suspect: Lavisan-Shian, Varamin and Turquzabad, Reuters reported over the weekend.
Although some of the findings related to activities going back decades, it also detailed recent Iranian activities relevant to producing nuclear weapons, the watchdog’s report read.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office emphasized that the IAEA’s findings clearly indicate that the Islamic Republic is not in compliance with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and continues to withhold cooperation from the agency.
“The international community must act now to stop Iran,” the PMO concluded.
Religious Zionism lawmaker Simcha Rothman on Sunday warned that Iran is using negotiations to stall for time, calling for decisive action to halt its nuclear ambitions.
“The only goal of negotiations for the Iranian regime is to remove sanctions and buy time—and time is exactly what we should not give them,” he told JNS. “The same ultimatum that President Trump gave to Iranian proxies in Yemen and Gaza should be given directly to Iran.”
He called for a firm demand that the Islamic Republic unilaterally dismantle its nuclear program, warning that failure to do so should trigger a military response.
“If that doesn’t happen, the nuclear facilities must be attacked for the safety of Israel and the entire world,” said Rothman. “This is not just an Israeli issue—a nuclear Iran threatens global security and would spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. That’s why it must be eliminated immediately.”
“Tehran’s ongoing violations prove that the Iranian regime has no intention of abiding by any agreement that limits its nuclear capabilities,” Knesset member Ariel Kallner (Likud) told JNS.
“Negotiations and agreements have consistently failed to stop Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. What is needed is a robust international response: severe sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and a credible military threat to ensure that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are permanently dismantled,” Kallner continued.
“The world cannot afford a nuclear-armed Iran, and Israel will do whatever it takes to defend itself and prevent this threat,” he said.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Saturday night also condemned Tehran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and called on the international community to take urgent action on the matter.
“The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today released a damning and unprecedented report revealing Iran’s true objective: advancing its nuclear weapons program and obtaining a nuclear bomb,” said Herzog.
“Iran is blatantly violating its core obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, blocking IAEA inspectors and dangerously expanding uranium enrichment. This is a blaring red alert. The international community must not look away—it must act now to stop Iran,” he added.
