The United States and Iran remain deadlocked in negotiations over the duration of a uranium enrichment ban, with Washington insisting on a 20-year halt and Tehran offering only five years, according to diplomatic sources familiar with the talks. The disagreement threatens to derail efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which collapsed after the US withdrew in 2018.
Analysts say the duration of the enrichment ban is critical to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons capability. “The longer the pause, the more time there is to build confidence and verify compliance,” said a nonproliferation expert who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks.
The original Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) imposed a 15-year limit on Iran’s uranium enrichment levels. US officials argue that extending this period is necessary given Iran’s advances in nuclear technology since 2018. “We need stronger, longer-lasting constraints to ensure Iran cannot quickly break out to a bomb,” a State Department spokesperson said.
Iranian officials maintain their nuclear program is peaceful and accuse the US of making excessive demands. “We have shown maximum flexibility, but our red lines are clear,” said an Iranian diplomat quoted by state media. Regional experts note that domestic political pressures in both countries complicate compromise.
The impasse comes as the International Atomic Energy Agency reports Iran has accumulated enough 60%-enriched uranium for multiple nuclear weapons if further purified. Failure to reach agreement could lead to renewed sanctions or military tensions, while a deal might open the door to broader Middle East diplomacy.