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Iran tempts Trump with ‘trillion-dollar’ nuclear deal pitch
South China Morning Post · Feb 18, 2026 · Collected from RSS
Summary
After US and Iranian negotiators agreed on Tuesday to a set of “guiding principles” at their nuclear talks in Geneva mediated by Oman, Tehran went further – framing any eventual deal as a commercial proposition, not just a security arrangement. Iran is pitching access to its vast energy and mineral reserves as what it has called a “trillion-dollar opportunity” for American firms. In doing so, analysts say Tehran is speaking the language of a US president known for his deal-making...
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After US and Iranian negotiators agreed on Tuesday to a set of “guiding principles” at their nuclear talks in Geneva mediated by Oman, Tehran went further – framing any eventual deal as a commercial proposition, not just a security arrangement.Iran is pitching access to its vast energy and mineral reserves as what it has called a “trillion-dollar opportunity” for American firms. In doing so, analysts say Tehran is speaking the language of a US president known for his deal-making proclivities.But though the approach “sets the right tone”, deep mistrust and domestic political opposition on both sides mean there is no guarantee of success.“For the sake of an agreement’s durability, it is essential that the US also benefits in areas with high and quick economic returns,” Iranian foreign ministry official Hamid Ghanbari said on Sunday, as reported by the semi-official Fars news agency.Oman’s permanent mission to the UN in Geneva on Tuesday, the start of the second round of Iran’s nuclear talks with the US. Photo: ReutersGhanbari, the ministry’s deputy director for economic diplomacy, stressed that “common interests” in oil, gas and mining investment were now part of the talks.
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