Tehran is reportedly willing to agree to a five-year pause on its nuclear energy program, according to sources familiar with ongoing negotiations. This offer is part of indirect talks between the United States and Iran, aimed at addressing concerns regarding Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. However, US President Donald Trump has dismissed a proposed 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment, arguing that it does not go far enough to prevent Iran from potentially developing nuclear weapons. In an interview with the New York Post, Trump reiterated his long-standing position that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear arms, stating, “I’ve been saying they can’t have nuclear weapons, so I don’t like the 20 years.”
The discussions held in Islamabad concluded without a breakthrough. Iranian negotiators reportedly rejected a US demand to surrender the country’s stockpile of enriched uranium, which is estimated to be around 440 kilograms. Tehran has consistently asserted that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes and that it has never sought military applications. This claim is supported by what Iran describes as the most stringent international inspections.
Despite the deep mistrust between the two nations, Iranian officials have indicated their willingness to engage in dialogue, provided the discussions are realistic. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking in Beijing, reaffirmed Iran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and expressed hope that the United States would adopt a pragmatic approach during negotiations. The outcome of these talks could have significant implications for regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts.
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