Donald Trump says ‘no uranium enrichment,’ but US-Iran deal proposal reportedly allows it

President Trump has reportedly cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against any actions that might undermine the ongoing nuclear talks.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday firmly denied that a new nuclear deal proposal presented to Iran would allow any uranium enrichment, contradicting multiple reports, including a detailed account by Axios, that the proposal outlines limited, low-level enrichment under strict conditions.

“The U.S. nuclear deal proposal that was allegedly given to Iran will not allow any enrichment of uranium,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. His post follows growing speculation after reports suggested the proposal offered Tehran concessions on enrichment as part of a broader effort to revive nuclear diplomacy.

However, Axios reported that the proposal, delivered by U.S. Special Envoy Gabriel Witkoff via Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi during a visit to Tehran on Saturday, includes “preliminary ideas” for a phased agreement. According to Axios, the deal would allow Iran to conduct limited low-level enrichment, up to 3 percent, for civilian purposes, while restricting new research and development and capping its nuclear infrastructure.

The contradiction between Trump’s public stance and the reported terms of the proposal adds a new layer of uncertainty to already fragile nuclear negotiations.

An Iranian diplomat familiar with the talks told Reuters that Tehran is preparing a “negative response” to the U.S. offer, calling it a “non-starter” that fails to address Iran’s core interests. Iran has repeatedly maintained that it will not accept any deal that prohibits uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes, a red line that remains at odds with Washington’s official rhetoric.

The proposal described by Axios would bar Iran from building new enrichment facilities and require the dismantling of critical infrastructure related to uranium processing. It also mandates the suspension of underground enrichment operations for a negotiated period and sets strict conditions for above-ground activities.

Crucially, the Axios report says the agreement envisions the creation of a regional enrichment consortium and a “strong system for monitoring and verification,” including Iran’s approval of the IAEA’s additional protocol. Sanctions relief would be granted only after Iran demonstrates “real commitment” to the terms, verified by both the U.S. and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The White House has not denied the details reported by Axios. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that the administration will not comment publicly on the specifics of the proposal. “President Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb. Special Envoy Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it's in their best interest to accept it,” she said.

Meanwhile, President Trump has reportedly cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against any actions that might undermine the ongoing nuclear talks, according to Axios.

With Iran poised to reject the deal and Washington sending mixed signals, the prospect of a breakthrough remains uncertain, raising questions about the viability of reconciling hardline positions on both sides while avoiding escalation in the region.