Part 9/14:
Meanwhile, in the broader regional context, negotiations with Iran are advancing. The United States has presented a formal proposal aimed at constraining Iran’s nuclear program by halting uranium enrichment and establishing a regional nuclear consortium including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab states. This marks a significant shift, representing a rare written commitment from Washington since negotiations resumed in April. The proposal responds to alarming reports from the IAEA indicating that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium—approaching weapons-grade levels—has sharply increased, raising concerns about an imminent nuclear breakout.