Iran is reportedly proposing substantial economic incentives, including opportunities in its oil, gas, and mining sectors, as part of ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States aimed at preventing further escalation. The development comes amid a third round of indirect talks in Geneva, mediated by Oman, while the U.S. concurrently builds up its military presence in the Middle East to increase pressure on Tehran.
According to sources cited by the Financial Times, Iranian negotiators are considering a potential “commercial bonanza” to appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump, drawing parallels with his administration’s efforts to secure oil deals in Venezuela following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro. However, a senior U.S. official stated that no such specific proposals have been formally discussed. The talks occur against a backdrop of heightened rhetoric, as Trump warned in his State of the Union address that Iran has limited time to reach a nuclear agreement, though he expressed a preference for a diplomatic solution.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is exclusively civilian and has indicated it will continue uranium enrichment, despite reported damage to some facilities during last year’s 12-day conflict involving U.S. and Israeli strikes. Teheran is also exploring enhanced verification arrangements with the International Atomic Energy Agency, potentially involving U.S.-linked experts, to address international concerns.
The country possesses the world’s third-largest proven oil reserves and second-largest gas reserves, sharing the largest natural gas field with Qatar. These vast resources form the core of the proposed incentives. This strategy reflects a historical precedent: Iran briefly reopened to Western investment following the 2015 nuclear accord, before the U.S. unilaterally withdrew in 2018 and reimposed severe sanctions.
The current diplomatic push seeks to revive a framework that limits Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for sanctions relief. The intertwining of economic offers with parallel military maneuvers underscores the complex pressure environment. The outcome of these talks is significant for regional stability and global energy markets, as both sides navigate a narrow path between confrontation and a potential new agreement that could reshape Iran’s economic integration and nuclear constraints.
