Geneva: Iran will be offering financial incentives to the Donald Trump administration, including opportunities for US investments in its substantial oil and gas reserves, to secure an agreement on its nuclear programme and avoid the risk of war.
A Financial Times report said a source familiar with the discussions amid ongoing diplomatic manoeuvres termed such prospects as a “commercial bonanza.”
The idea is to draw President Trump’s attention by promising significant economic returns for the United States through various deals.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will engage in another round of indirect talks with US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Geneva on Thursday. The negotiations are part of continued effort to find common ground.
A senior US official, however, said that no such commercial proposal has been formally presented to the US side. “This was never discussed. President Trump has been clear that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon or the capacity to build one,” the official was quoted as saying.
The individual close to the matter explained that the investment options are “specifically aimed at Trump,” encompassing a major economic boost from oil, gas, mi
ning rights, and critical minerals. This idea is part of Iran’s efforts to demonstrate to Washington that it is committed to a deal and to prevent US strikes, especially as Trump applies increasing pressure.
The report said Iran is drawing inspiration from Venezuela, where Trump recently encouraged American companies to pursue oil deals following the US seizure of Nicolás Maduro last month. This example underscores Tehran’s tactic to highlight mutual economic benefits.
Such proposals form part of Tehran’s wider initiative to convince Washington of its seriousness in reaching a deal, particularly as Trump intensifies pressure to prevent potential US military action. Tehran has also signalled a possible shift, threatening to expand any conflict beyond previous limits after recent American strikes.
Trump, who has amassed the largest US military presence in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion, warned Iran last week it has at most 15 days to agree to terms, or “bad things will happen.”
Iran has consistently maintained its nuclear activities are strictly for civilian purposes, even though it had been enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels before US and Israeli bombings of its facilities last year.
Iran is reportedly open to a multinational verification system for its programme, potentially involving a US team or a third country alongside the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog.
Araghchi affirmed recently that Iran “will under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon” and is pursuing a “fair and equitable deal, in the shortest possible time.”