Possible Breakthrough: US Considers Lifting Sanctions, Offering Billions in Aid to Iran After Ceasefire

Washington: In a surprising development during the NATO summit, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a direct meeting with Iranian officials is expected next week, potentially leading to a formal agreement. Speaking at a press conference in The Hague, Trump stated, “We’re going to meet with Iran. Maybe we’ll reach an agreement — who knows? If we can get something on paper, that wouldn’t be bad.”
This announcement comes in the wake of a major U.S. military operation targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, which the Pentagon labeled a successful mission. Diplomatic engagement has since accelerated, with U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Whitkoff revealing that initial contacts with Iran have been “encouraging.” He expressed optimism about the possibility of a long-term peace agreement that would reintegrate Iran into the international community.
While the White House has not disclosed the meeting venue or participants, senior U.S. official David Levitt clarified that the talks aim to steer Iran toward a non-enriched, civilian nuclear energy program.
According to American media reports citing informed sources, the proposed agreement could include $20–30 billion in financial assistance to Iran, enabling it to establish a peaceful, electricity-generating nuclear program. This aid would come not directly from the U.S., but from American allies in the Middle East.
Other potential measures under discussion include easing economic sanctions on Iran and granting Tehran access to $6 billion in frozen overseas assets. U.S. officials are also considering covering the costs of converting Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility into a civilian energy site, with support from partner nations.
Speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized, “We’ve gone the extra mile to reach a deal with them. Now the ball is in Iran’s court. If they choose diplomacy, we are ready.”