The Trump administration has reportedly softened its long-held position on Iran's nuclear program, signaling a willingness to accept limited uranium enrichment by Tehran—marking a notable reversal from the administration’s previous “red line.”
According to a report from Axios, the United States sent a new proposal to Iran on Saturday that would permit it to enrich uranium to 3% under the supervision of a proposed regional enrichment consortium. The offer, described as containing “components for a deal” rather than a final agreement, would also require Iran to halt enrichment activities at its underground facilities and cap production at above-ground sites to levels consistent with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards for civilian nuclear fuel.
The White House did not deny the report. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the proposal only as “acceptable,” without confirming specific terms. The shift in position comes after years of hardline rhetoric, including threats by President Trump to “blow up” Iran’s enrichment sites and firm statements from administration envoys, such as Steve Witkoff, who previously asserted that Tehran should not be allowed to enrich uranium at even 1%.
Responding on Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Washington had yet to provide assurances regarding the lifting of sanctions, which would be a critical component of any agreement.
While Iran is likely to object to certain elements of the deal, Washington’s willingness to abandon its insistence on total dismantlement of Iran’s enrichment program suggests a significant recalibration. Analysts point to waning U.S. leverage, limited international appetite for escalation, and U.S. intelligence assessments warning of the low probability of success in any potential military strike as contributing factors behind the shift.
In another notable move, the Trump administration has reportedly paused all new sanctions on Iran, diverging from its long-standing “maximum pressure” campaign. The policy shift may create tensions within Trump’s own administration and among congressional hardliners, as well as with Israel, which has long advocated for a zero-enrichment stance.
The next round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran has yet to be scheduled, but the recent developments indicate that diplomatic channels remain open—albeit fragile—as both sides reassess their positions in a shifting regional landscape.