Washington, June 13: Iran has agreed to indefinitely refrain from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons under a proposed agreement with the United States, a senior Trump administration official said on Friday, adding that any sanctions relief would be strictly linked to verification and inspection mechanisms.
The official said the proposed deal has received broad support from key regional allies, including Israel and Gulf nations. However, he noted that allies would retain the right to act in self-defence if Iran fails to honour its commitments.
According to the official, there is also significant support for the agreement within Iran, including among the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), hardliners and the civilian leadership. While acknowledging the presence of some dissenting voices, the official described opposition to the deal as limited.
The agreement has been structured to ensure that Iran receives economic benefits only after fulfilling its obligations. The official said Tehran has committed to eliminating its stockpile of enriched nuclear material and decommissioning facilities associated with its nuclear programme, though technical details remain under negotiation.
Describing the arrangement as a major step towards preventing nuclear proliferation, the official said Iran’s commitment to never develop or procure nuclear weapons represents a significant concession. He stressed that verification measures and inspections would be central to the implementation of the agreement.
A 60-day period for technical negotiations has been included in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) to finalise operational details. The official stated that sanctions relief and economic incentives would be provided only after the United States confirms that Iran is complying with the agreed terms.
The US administration also clarified that it does not oppose a civilian nuclear energy programme in Iran, provided it does not include infrastructure capable of supporting nuclear weapons development. Drawing a comparison with the United Arab Emirates’ civilian nuclear programme, the official said the concern lies in preventing Iran from maintaining capabilities that could enable a rapid transition from civilian nuclear activity to weapons production.
The official expressed confidence that the proposed framework would remove such capabilities if Iran fully complies with its commitments. He added that the United States is prepared to offer substantial sanctions relief and support Iran’s integration into the global economy, provided Tehran demonstrates a sustained commitment to abandoning nuclear weapons ambitions and contributing to regional stability.
The proposed agreement remains under negotiation and is expected to undergo further technical discussions before any final implementation.