Iran has proposed forming a regional uranium enrichment consortium with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in an effort to address U.S. concerns about its nuclear programme while reinforcing the peaceful nature of its nuclear ambitions. The plan, reportedly circulating in Tehran, would see Gulf countries take part in enrichment operations at Iranian facilities, effectively making them stakeholders and participants in the decision-making process.
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Tehran views the proposal as a concession, as it would involve sharing its nuclear technology with its neighbours and increasing transparency. The proposed enrichment level would be capped at 3.67%—the limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers. This is far below the 90% required for weapons-grade uranium, although Iran currently enriches uranium to 60%.
Consortium Model Draws on Earlier Academic Proposal
The idea mirrors a proposal first outlined in an October 2023 article by former Iranian nuclear negotiator Seyed Hossein Mousavian and Princeton physicist Frank von Hippel. Their plan envisioned the creation of a multinational enrichment consortium, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE acting as funders and shareholders. Their engineers would have access to Iranian facilities, which could serve as an additional safeguard against the diversion of enriched uranium for weapons purposes. This enhanced regional presence would complement oversight from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The UAE, while operating a fully functional nuclear power station—Barakah—does not currently enrich uranium. Its involvement, alongside Saudi Arabia, could boost confidence in the civilian nature of the programme and address international concerns, particularly those voiced by Israel, which accuses Iran of pursuing a bomb.
Diplomatic Talks in Oman and Beyond
The proposal’s formal presentation remains uncertain. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took part in a three-hour meeting with U.S. officials in Oman on Sunday, part of a series of direct bilateral talks. While it is unclear if the proposal was discussed during the talks, Araghchi later travelled to Dubai to meet UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi made a veiled reference to the initiative, describing it as among “useful and original ideas reflecting a shared wish to reach an honourable agreement.”
Tensions Rise Amid Parallel Sanctions
Despite positive signals from Iranian officials—who described the talks as “useful”—tensions persist. On Tuesday, the U.S. imposed fresh sanctions on a shipping network it accuses of transporting millions of barrels of Iranian oil to China. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei criticized the move, calling it “completely incompatible with the process of negotiations” and warning it would negatively affect Tehran’s position.
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The U.S. remains divided on how to proceed. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio has criticized Iran’s current enrichment level of 60% as unnecessary for civilian purposes, former President Donald Trump—who unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 deal in 2018—has both praised Iran’s seriousness in talks and threatened military action if diplomacy fails.