US Weighs Plan to Unfreeze $20 Billion in Assets for Iran in Exchange for Enriched Uranium
According to a recent report, the United States is considering a significant diplomatic proposal to unfreeze $20 billion in Iranian assets in return for more than 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium. This development comes as part of ongoing negotiations aimed at preventing Iran from accessing a nuclear weapon, a key objective for President Donald Trump.
Details of the Reported Negotiation
Two unnamed U.S. officials and two additional sources informed Axios that among various discussions, the U.S. is offering Iran access to $20 billion in frozen assets. In exchange, Iran would surrender over 900 pounds of enriched uranium, which is currently buried underneath its nuclear facilities following the U.S. bombing campaign in June 2025, known as Operation Midnight Hammer.
This uranium stockpile includes approximately 4,400 pounds of enriched material, with 992 pounds enriched to 60 percent purity. The proposal marks a strategic move to align with President Trump's goal of ensuring Iran cannot develop nuclear capabilities, a justification he has cited for military actions.
White House Response and Historical Context
White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly declined to confirm the validity of the Axios report but stated that "productive conversations" with Iran are ongoing. She emphasized that only announcements from President Trump or the White House should be taken as fact, not anonymous sources.
In a Truth Social post, President Trump alluded to a similar deal, writing, "The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear 'Dust,' created by our great B2 Bombers - No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form." This reference to "nuclear dust" pertains to the highly enriched uranium buried after Operation Midnight Hammer.
Trump has been highly critical of a 2016 agreement under former President Barack Obama, which involved a $1.7 billion payment to Iran as part of a legal settlement. He accused Obama of "lying" about the payment, especially since the first installment of $400 million coincided with Iran releasing American prisoners.
Negotiation Challenges and Future Talks
The reported proposal faces complexities, as Trump's comments about no money being exchanged seem to contradict the idea of unfreezing assets. Discussions have included options such as shipping some uranium to a third country or blending it down in Iran under international monitoring.
Sources indicate that the U.S. initially offered to release $6 billion for humanitarian reasons, but Iranian officials demanded $27 billion. Additionally, U.S., Israeli, and Iranian officials may hold a second round of talks in Islamabad soon, though no official announcements have been made.
This potential deal represents a pivotal moment in U.S.-Iran relations, balancing nuclear non-proliferation efforts with diplomatic and financial considerations.
