Tehran Offers U.S. Investment Openings Amid Renewed Nuclear Diplomacy

Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict

Iran is now trying to shift tack, openly appealing to Trump’s transactional approach to foreign policy as nuclear talks resume in Geneva. Tehran is talking about clear economic benefits for the United States. They have pointed to oil and gas field development, mining projects, and access to critical minerals as areas where American companies could invest if sanctions are eased. The Iranian Foreign Minister is meeting US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for a third round of negotiations, and an opportunity is now on the table. 

In a contradictory State of the Union address, Trump told Congress that the United States obliterated Iran’s nuclear program in June. Days earlier, his envoy Steve Witkoff said Iran is probably a week away from having industrial grade bomb making material. Trump is claiming total destruction while his own negotiator is warning that Tehran is on the verge of a bomb. If the program were wiped out, Iran should not be this close to weapons capability. Both positions are now being advanced at the same time as tensions rise again.

China does not view Iran as expendable. Beijing has billions tied up in Iran through its long term strategic agreement, and it buys most of Iran’s exported oil. Another US or Israeli attack would put those investments and energy flows at risk. Since the June 2025 strikes, China has stepped up technical support. Iran has shifted from US-controlled GPS to China’s BeiDou system,…