The sixth round of Iran-US talks could be held this weekend in Oman, Axios said on June 4, as Tehran signals conditional openness to a regional uranium enrichment consortium proposal.

The announcement of upcoming talks follows speeches by top leaders in Iran on the 36th anniversary of the death of Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic in 1980. Current Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Iran would not accept the US’ proposal to export enrichment to foreign countries, but did not close the door to negotiations in his speech. The younger Khomeini, who is rarely seen in the same state as Khamenei, also gave a speech defending the country but did not oppose further talks. Having both houses of the supreme leadership in unison on a the ceremonial day could be seen as a positive signal for further talks. 

Iran earlier indicated it could accept a regional uranium enrichment consortium as part of a nuclear agreement with the United States, provided the facility operates within Iranian territory, a senior Iranian official said, but that later appeared to have been shunned in Khamenei's speech.

“National independence means that the country should not wait for the green or red light from the United States and its ilk; a key element of national independence is the principle of 'we can'," Ayatollah Khamenei said. “In the nuclear issue, the US plan is 100% against ‘we can'," he added.

Khamenei stressed that the nuclear industry extends beyond mere energy production, describing it as a "parent industry" for which uranium enrichment is "key." He claimed this fundamental importance is precisely why Iran's adversaries have targeted enrichment.

The regional enrichment consortium represents a key element in the proposal White House envoy Steve Witkoff presented to Iran at the weekend. The initiative attempts to reconcile President Donald Trump's position that Iran cannot be permitted to enrich uranium with Tehran's insistence that enrichment on its soil must continue.

The response suggests Tehran may not outright reject Witkoff's offer but instead seek to negotiate specific terms and conditions. The proposal does not clearly define where the consortium would be located.

Under the theoretical framework, the consortium would include the United States, Iran and regional countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and potentially Turkey. The facility would supply nuclear fuel to countries seeking to develop civilian nuclear programmes and operate under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring.

The arrangement could potentially allow both sides to claim victory on their respective red lines. The US could declare that Iran is not permitted to enrich uranium independently, as enrichment would be overseen by a broader coalition, whilst Iran could maintain that enrichment activities continue on its territory.

According to the US proposal, Iran would not be allowed to develop domestic enrichment capabilities beyond those necessary for civilian purposes. After signing any agreement, Iran would temporarily reduce its enrichment concentration to 3% for a period to be negotiated between the parties.

The proposal also requires Iran's underground enrichment facilities to become non-operational temporarily, whilst above-ground facilities would be limited to producing nuclear reactor fuel.

Iranian officials have requested greater clarity on the timing and scope of US sanctions relief under the proposed framework. A sixth round of nuclear talks between Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi could take place this weekend in the Middle East, according to diplomatic sources.