In a major development amid rising U.S.-Iran tensions, The New York Times reports that Iran has secretly offered a joint nuclear enrichment venture involving Arab nations and U.S. investments as an alternative to Washington’s demand for a halt in uranium enrichment. The proposal was reportedly made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a backchannel meeting in Oman with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. However, a spokesman for Witkoff, Eddie Vasquez, denied the report, asserting that such a joint venture was "never floated or discussed."