All articles tagged with #nuclear deal
President Trump said negotiations to end the Iran conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz are moving forward but should not be rushed, insisting time is on the U.S. side and that both sides must get it right; the naval blockade stays in place until an agreement is reached, as supporters and critics weigh in on the potential deal.
Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz has given it leverage in talks that could end the war with sanctions relief and restraints on its nuclear program, potentially strengthening Tehran’s regional position; Trump’s political constraints and hawkish opposition could still push toward a less favorable agreement, worse than Obama’s, or risk deeper escalation.
President Trump’s evolving plan to end the Iran war would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and require Iran to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium within a 60-day window, but hard-line Republicans fear the terms could leave Iran too powerful and a nuclear-capable regime in control of Gulf oil routes, while Trump and some allies push negotiations as an America-first path; Rand Paul backs talks while Cruz, Graham, Pompeo, and Bolton criticize the plan, signaling a deep GOP split over how to handle Tehran.
White House officials say a final Iran deal isn’t imminent and could take several days for Tehran’s leadership, including the supreme leader, to approve, with ongoing talks over sanctions relief in exchange for limits on enrichment, disposal of Iran’s uranium stockpile, and how long any enrichment moratorium would last, while allies watch closely and Trump urges patience.
President Trump told CBS News that the United States is getting closer to finalizing a deal with Iran on nuclear restrictions and sanctions relief, with reports that the latest proposal includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, unfreezing some Iranian assets, and ongoing negotiations. He said the final agreement would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and would only be signed if it meets U.S. goals, while he consults with advisers and Gulf leaders; a regional call with Gulf leaders is planned as negotiations continue.
U.S. officials say Iran's latest counter-proposal offers only token concessions and lacks firm commitments to suspend enrichment or surrender its stockpile; with no sanctions relief unless Tehran meets reciprocal demands, Washington warns that unless Tehran shifts its position, the United States may pursue military options as talks remain indirect and time is running out.
Trump said American finances will not influence his approach to Iran talks, insisting the priority is preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, even as rising gas prices and inflation accompany the conflict.
The ultra-hardline Jebhe-ye Paydari (Endurance Front) is actively opposing any deal with the United States, arguing negotiations betray the 1979 revolution, and is leveraging media, parliament, and street rallies to pressure Tehran’s negotiators. While leaders project unity, the group’s influence persists through senior figures and loyal media networks, complicating talks and signaling ongoing power struggles within Iran as negotiations unfold.
Arab and U.S. officials say Tehran must save face for a possible comprehensive Iran deal, but Trump’s habit of belittling Iranian leaders and demanding surrender risks undermining diplomacy. Negotiators are probing a basic framework with a 30-day window for a longer pact, while backchannels may help cushion public rhetoric—yet many insiders fear Trump’s tone could prevent both sides from claiming victory and derail talks.
New York Times data show Iran built roughly 11 tons of enriched uranium since 2018, breaching caps and boosting purity up to 60%, with pace accelerating after Trump left the deal; after 2025 U.S. strikes and Iran’s halt of IAEA inspections, much of the stockpile’s status remains unverified and some material may be buried or stored in hardened sites, raising concerns about undisclosed enrichment sites.
Trump has ordered aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, choosing economic pressure over bombing or diplomacy as talks stall. The aim is to force Tehran to dismantle its nuclear program with at least a 20-year enrichment suspension, while Iran ponders a revised offer and Strait of Hormuz traffic remains low, pushing oil prices higher. Analysts warn the strategy risks a prolonged stalemate and broader economic fallout with no clear endgame in sight.
The United States expressed limited enthusiasm for Iran’s proposal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz without settling the nuclear dispute, keeping the naval blockade in place while nuclear talks are deferred. Oil prices rose on the uncertainty as Gulf allies press for resumed oil flows; Iran faces tight oil storage and slow shipments to buyers. Diplomacy continues with mediators in Islamabad and Moscow, but no pact or clear path forward has emerged, and Trump administration officials remain noncommittal about accepting the plan.
A leaked confidential letter to Mojtaba Khamenei reveals a split within Iran’s leadership over whether to negotiate with the United States on the nuclear file; some senior figures urged talks due to a worsening economy, while others refused to sign. The leak prompted synchronized official posts of unity to quell the rift, underscoring a power struggle between hardliners and moderates.
The piece explains the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which restricted Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief and extensive international monitoring; Obama negotiated the deal, Trump withdrew and reimposed sanctions, critics argue it contained sunset clauses and could allow a future breakout, while supporters say it bought time for diplomacy. It also notes Iran’s perceived economic gains from sanctions relief and the controversial $1.7 billion cash payment tied to detainee releases.
After U.S.-led strikes failed to topple Iran’s leaders, Tehran is entering high-stakes talks with the United States over a comprehensive agreement to end the war. Iran maintains its program is peaceful but demands concessions, while Washington seeks major guarantees to prevent weaponization. Internal divisions persist, but former Tehran mayor Qalibaf is seen as a potential bridge-builder to unite factions as sanctions bite and Iran leverages Strait of Hormuz to press its case.