Iran preparing counter-proposal to US nuclear offer: Exclusive
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Ali Shamkhani confirms Tehran is drafting a counter-proposal to the latest US nuclear offer, criticizing the omission of sanctions relief.
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Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani speaks with Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis in a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 (AP)
After receiving the American proposal regarding the Iranian nuclear program, Tehran is now preparing a new counter-proposal, confirmed Ali Shamkhani, Political Advisor to the Leader of the Revolution and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In an exclusive statement to Al Mayadeen on Wednesday, Shamkhani underlined that “Iran will never relinquish its natural rights.”
He also pointed out a key omission in the US offer, stating, “There is no mention whatsoever of lifting sanctions in the latest American proposal, even though the issue of sanctions is a fundamental matter for Iran.”
Read more: Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment: Sayyed Khamenei
Trump contradicts Witkoff: No enrichment in Iran deal
On Monday, President Donald Trump declared that the United States would not allow Iran to enrich uranium under any future nuclear agreement, taking a public stance that directly contradicts a proposal reportedly presented to Tehran by his own envoy.
The hardline claim, made via Trump’s Truth Social account, highlights a growing discrepancy between the administration’s political messaging and its behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
In his post, Trump wrote, "The AUTOPEN should have stopped Iran a long time ago from 'enriching.' Under our potential Agreement — WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM!"
His comment reinforces long-standing demands made by key members of his team, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff, both of whom have publicly insisted on a zero-enrichment policy as the foundation of any nuclear accord. Rubio’s nuclear policy statements have consistently reflected this uncompromising view.
US deal proposal allows Iran to enrich Uranium to low-level
However, two sources with direct knowledge of the Trump team's negotiations told Axios that Witkoff’s actual proposal to Iran, delivered on Saturday, includes provisions allowing limited low-grade uranium enrichment for a still-undefined period.
It also stops short of demanding the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Steve Witkoff's Iran proposal, if accurately reported, would amount to a significant softening of the administration’s publicly stated red lines.
Despite the contrast, the White House did not deny the reported terms of the proposal. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios that "out of respect for the ongoing deal, the Administration will not comment on details of the proposal to the media."
The revelation has already drawn criticism from Iran hawks in Washington and from officials within the Israeli regime, who view any tolerance for enrichment as a dangerous concession.
