US floats imported fuel solution for Iran ahead of third round nuclear talks
Experts say a deal in which Iran keeps its nuclear reactors but abandons its domestic enrichment is likely a nonstarter.
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said on Wednesday that Iran can maintain a civilian nuclear program to produce energy under a future deal but must purchase its nuclear fuel from abroad.
“There’s a pathway to a civil, peaceful nuclear program if they want one,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a podcast interview with The Free Press.
“If Iran wants a civil nuclear program, they can have one just like many other countries in the world have one, and that is, they import enriched material,” Rubio said.
The top diplomat spoke as the United States and Iran prepared for a third round of indirect negotiations on Saturday in Oman aimed at reaching an agreement over the rapidly advancing Iranian nuclear program. US officials, including top negotiator Steve Witkoff, have sent conflicting signals on whether the deal they are seeking would require the complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
