Iran International
The location of a proposed uranium enrichment consortium to help resolve Iran's nuclear impasse is emerging as a central point of contention, as Tehran insists enrichment must occur on its own soil.
Axios and The New York Times reported earlier this week that US negotiator Steve Witkoff has proposed creating a regional consortium to break the deadlock in stalled nuclear talks.
In a June 4 speech, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rejected the US proposal—delivered by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi on May 31—saying a halt to enrichment inside Iran was “out of the question.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei had earlier said Tehran would welcome a nuclear fuel consortium “if it were proposed,” but added: “It cannot be a substitute for enrichment within Iran.”
Details of the proposal
According to Axios on June 2, Witkoff’s proposal would, restrict enrichment to civilian-grade levels (3%), suspend underground enrichment for a negotiated period, limit above-ground enrichment to reactor fuel standards under IAEA guidelines and require Iran’s immediate adoption of the IAEA’s Additional Protocol
On June 3, Axios quoted a senior Iranian official as saying Iran might accept a consortium based in Iran—but not if enrichment occurred elsewhere.
Qeshm, Kish or some other island?
A New York Times report on the same day noted that Omani and Saudi officials had discussed placing the facility on a Persian Gulf island.
“This would potentially give both sides a talking point,” the Times wrote, with Iran claiming enrichment is still happening and the US saying it isn’t on Iranian soil.
Israel Hayom cited an unnamed Arab source suggesting the facility might be built on one of three disputed islands: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb or Abu Musa. All are controlled by Iran but claimed by the UAE.
The outlet described the idea as a “diplomatic sleight of hand,” sparking backlash on Iranian social media, where critics warned it would undermine Iran’s sovereignty claims.
Alternative: the Oman model
Some nuclear experts, including former Iranian negotiator Hossein Mousavian, have promoted a model where Oman would host the facility, operated by Iran under IAEA supervision.
In this setup, ore would be processed in Saudi Arabia, enriched product would be stored there and a commercial office based in the UAE.
Possible participants
Axios reported the consortium could include the US, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and possibly Turkey. Other outlets have mentioned Oman, Egypt, and Russia.
A June 3 editorial in Arman-e Melli argued Egypt’s inclusion would offer both regional legitimacy and diplomatic utility.
“Egypt’s good relations with the US and Europe could serve as a bridge between Iran and the West,” it noted.
"The Tehran reactor we use was built by the Americans. In Canada and the United States, reactors operate with 90% enriched fuel," Mohammad Eslami said on Iranian state television. "So the percentage of enrichment has no particular significance."
The nuclear chief also stressed that 20% enrichment is necessary for research reactors. "Without the capability to design and manufacture reactors and complete the fuel cycle, one cannot claim to be nuclear-capable — and we are now at that level," he said.
Eslami emphasized that Iran’s nuclear development is rooted in national capability. "We have now reached full maturity in the nuclear fuel cycle, which is the foundation of the nuclear industry," he said.
"The West cannot tolerate this and continues to escalate its hostility toward us in every possible way."
He accused the United States and its allies of trying to maintain monopolistic control over nuclear technology. "They have always said Iran should have no domestic reactor and must import fuel indefinitely," Eslami said. "Our response has always been clear: we will not accept such dependency."
He said the West’s portrayal of Iran’s nuclear intentions was misleading. "They do not want development unless it’s under their flag," he said. "But all our progress has been achieved by our own youth."
On Wednesday, Eslami vowed to continue advancing the country’s nuclear program with “faith, revolutionary spirit, and heartfelt conviction,” asserting that Iran will resist excessive demands from the United States and other global powers in a statement addressed to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Diplomatic talks mediated by Oman between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff have stalled over Iran’s insistence on maintaining enrichment activities inside the country.
US and Iran want an agreement, UN nuclear watchdog says
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi, speaking in Damascus, said that the agency is not party to the negotiations but remains in close contact with both sides.
"They are negotiating, not us, but it is obvious that the IAEA will have to be the guarantor of whichever agreement they come to," he said.
Grossi expressed cautious optimism. "I think they both want an agreement, which doesn’t mean that it’s easy to get," he said. "But having two sides that want a deal is already a big advantage."
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump urged Tehran to respond swiftly to American demands. "Time is running out on Iran’s decision pertaining to nuclear weapons, which must be made quickly!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. He also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had offered to mediate.
In March, Trump warned that if a deal was not agreed upon within two months, the US would bomb Tehran, though he did not state a deadline.
Iran has consistently said that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. However, Western powers have accused Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons capabilities—allegations Iran denies.
Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching uranium to 60% U-235. The IAEA has consistently maintained that there is no credible civilian use for uranium enriched to this level, which is a short technical step from weapons-grade 90% fissile material.