Trump open to 'token' Iran nuclear deal if every path to a bomb is blocked

The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering a proposal that would permit Iran to carry out only "token" levels of uranium enrichment, on the strict condition that no conceivable pathway to a nuclear weapon remains, Axios reported citing a senior US official.

The idea, though limited, suggests a narrow opening for diplomacy between Washington and Tehran even as military strike options remain actively on the table.

Officials told Axios that any Iranian proposal would face a steep challenge, needing to convince sceptics inside the Trump administration as well as governments across the region. 

One senior official said: "President Trump will be ready to accept a deal that would be substantive and that he can sell politically at home. If the Iranians want to prevent an attack they should give us an offer we can't refuse. The Iranians keep missing the window. If they play games there won't be a lot of patience."

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that Tehran's plan would be completed within "two or three days", though US and Israeli officials cautioned that Trump could order strikes as early as this weekend.

Some of Trump's advisers have urged restraint, arguing that Washington's expanding military posture is steadily increasing US leverage. Yet others concede that the president's decision-making is unpredictable. 

"The president hasn't decided to strike yet. I know that because we haven't struck," one senior adviser said. "He might never do it. He might wake up tomorrow and say: 'That's it'."

The adviser added that the Pentagon had drafted an array of options, including one scenario that "takes out the ayatollah and his son and the mullahs".

A second source confirmed that such a plan - targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba - had been presented weeks earlier.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Axios: "The media may continue to speculate on the president's thinking all they want, but only President Trump knows what he may or may not do."

Despite Washington's stated demand for "zero enrichment", both Araghchi and a senior US official have hinted that limited, symbolic enrichment might be examined if Iran can demonstrate that it poses no proliferation risk.

Tehran insists enrichment is its sovereign right, even though its centrifuges remain largely inoperable after last June's airstrikes.

Speaking on MS NOW's Morning Joe, Araghchi said the US side "did not ask Iran to agree to 'zero enrichment'" in the Geneva talks. He added that Iran's aim is to ensure its programme "is peaceful and would remain peaceful forever", and that Tehran is prepared to take "confidence-building measures" in exchange for sanctions relief.

Araghchi said the forthcoming Iranian proposal would outline "political commitments and technical measures", shaped partly by guidance from UN nuclear watchdog chief Raphael Grossi, to guarantee the programme cannot "be diverted to non-peaceful purposes".

A senior US official told Axios the administration would assess Iran's plan once it arrives: "The ball is in their court."

Discreet talks

Recent speculation on Trump's next move comes amid growing tensions despite diplomatic talks this week between the two countries.

The talks were a last-ditch attempt to avert threatened military action by the US, with Khamenei warning Trump on Tuesday he would not be able to "destroy" the Islamic Republic.

According to AFP, talks were being held discreetly, with diplomatic police blocking the private access road to Oman's residence in the municipality of Cologny.

Tensions intensified further last week after Trump deployed a second aircraft carrier - the world's largest - to the Middle East. The USS Gerald R Ford will bring thousands more US troops and firepower to the region.

The US previously sent two aircraft carriers to the region ahead of its attacks on Iran last year.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also deployed ships and helicopters on Monday, and tested drones and missiles, in a military exercise in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.