A Mad Offer: Trump Opens Gulf States’ Coffers to Tehran

NYN | Reports and analyses 

The United States continues to expose the fragility of the Gulf position on the international stage by pushing sensitive deals that leave these countries unable to reject American dictates.

According to CNN, the U.S. administration is seeking a new nuclear arrangement with Iran that would involve replacing the Fordow nuclear site with an alternative civilian program funded by the Gulf Arab states—an offer laden with controversial strategic and economic implications.

The network reported Thursday evening that Washington is discussing a proposal to finance a civilian nuclear program in Iran, estimated to cost between $20 and $30 billion, in exchange for Tehran shutting down the Fordow facility and ceasing uranium enrichment.

What stands out, according to sources, is that the funding would not come from the U.S. Treasury, but from Washington’s allies in the Gulf—namely Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar.

According to information obtained by CNN, the White House is also considering a set of incentives to offer Iran as part of this deal, including access to $6 billion in frozen funds held in foreign bank accounts, as well as the lifting of certain sanctions.

In recent hours, Trump stated: “We took $5.1 trillion from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar during my Gulf tour, and now we’re approaching $6 trillion,” a remark seen as a reference to unlocking their coffers for Iran, which is almost certain to reject American pressure.

But the pressing question remains: if Iran agrees to the deal, would Saudi Arabia and the UAE be able to stand up to Trump and refuse to fund a project that benefits what they consider a “traditional rival”?

Observers believe the coming days will provide the answer, while emphasizing that Iran will not compromise on its ambitions or sovereign decisions—despite the White House’s offer to open the coffers of its hostile Gulf neighbors.