An unconventional proposal for a joint nuclear consortium involving Iran and three Persian Gulf Arab states has been suggested during the latest round of indirect negotiations, Iran's Khorasan daily reported on Monday.
The newspaper cited an unofficial suggestion that would see the formation of a shared nuclear consortium between Iran and three countries on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf.
This concept, according to the report, could potentially address Tehran's desire to maintain its nuclear technology while alleviating safety and transparency concerns among its regional neighbors and the West.
Khorasan said that the idea could reconcile the impasse between demands for zero uranium enrichment and Iran's current enrichment levels of 60%.
The proposed consortium could involve enrichment in Iran below 5% under a joint stock company with the participation of Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and potentially a symbolic share for the United States.
The Iranian daily highlighted two potential benefits of this initiative: preserving Iran's domestic fuel cycle and providing neighboring countries with reassurance through joint regional oversight.
While acknowledging that the proposal is still in the conceptual stage, Khorasan suggested it could offer a way out of the current stalemate.
The concept of a nuclear consortium could align with recent remarks by Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who mentioned "useful and innovative ideas" in the negotiations.
