Iran's Revised Nuclear Deal Framework
Iran has submitted a revised nuclear agreement proposal to the United States, offering to cease its accumulation of uranium enriched to 60% purity. The proposal also includes a commitment to restore full access for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring missions to all Iranian nuclear facilities. Tehran is prepared to consider a plan where half of its most highly enriched uranium stockpile would be shipped abroad, with the remaining half diluted to lower enrichment levels.
Furthermore, Iran is open to participating in a regional consortium for uranium enrichment. Tehran has also expressed its desire for the international community to refrain from imposing new sanctions and passing further resolutions. The next round of indirect negotiations, mediated by Oman, is scheduled for February 27, 2026, in Geneva.
Iran's Concurrent Military Capabilities
Simultaneously, Iran maintains a significant arsenal of thousands of ballistic missiles and drones, including Shahed kamikaze drones and over 20 types of ballistic missiles with varying ranges. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that approximately 40,000 American military personnel across eight to nine facilities are within direct striking distance of these weapons. It is also known that Tehran attacked the Qatari Al-Udeid air base following strikes on its nuclear facilities during the summer.
According to a senior Iranian official, both sides need to agree on a logical and sensible timeline for sanctions relief, one that is based on mutual interests.
This Iranian initiative could represent a significant step toward re-establishing diplomatic relations between Iran and the U.S., while also helping to reduce regional tensions.
However, Iran's continued stockpiling of missiles and drones casts doubt on Tehran's willingness to make substantial compromises. The upcoming negotiations will be crucial in determining the future of Iran's nuclear program and regional stability. The 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the JCPOA, has been effectively defunct since the U.S. withdrawal in 2018, making these new proposals a critical diplomatic development.