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In a striking statement made during his tour of the Gulf region, US President Donald Trump declared on Thursday that the United States is nearing a nuclear deal with Iran, suggesting Tehran had “sort of” agreed to the terms being discussed.
“We’re in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace,” Trump said, according to a pool report shared by AFP. “We’re getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this… there (are) two steps to doing this, there is a very, very nice step and there is the violent step, but I don’t want to do it the second way.”
His remarks reflect an ongoing attempt by Washington to revive diplomatic engagement with Tehran, following years of friction and the collapse of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump unilaterally withdrew from in 2018.
Iran Acknowledges Progress, But Warns of Remaining Gaps
Despite Trump’s optimism, Tehran remains cautious. An Iranian source familiar with the negotiations said on Thursday that while there has been movement, “there are still gaps to bridge” in the talks.
The latest round of indirect negotiations between Iranian and US officials took place in Oman on Sunday, with both sides agreeing to continue discussions. These talks aim to revive some form of a nuclear agreement and avoid further escalation, including potential military conflict.
While both nations express preference for a diplomatic solution, several critical issues remain unresolved — chief among them being uranium enrichment and the lifting of US sanctions.
Uranium Enrichment: A Red Line for Tehran
A central point of contention is Iran’s uranium enrichment program. US officials continue to demand that Iran halt enrichment entirely, a condition that Iranian authorities have declared a “red line.”
Tehran asserts that enriching uranium on Iranian soil is its sovereign right under international law. While Iranian negotiators have expressed willingness to reduce enrichment levels, they have refused to completely abandon their program.
Additionally, Iranian officials have proposed a reduction of their stockpile of highly enriched uranium — particularly uranium enriched beyond levels needed for civilian use — but only under certain conditions.
Sanctions Relief: A Key Sticking Point
According to the Iranian source, a major roadblock remains the US reluctance to lift major economic sanctions — a step Tehran views as essential for any deal.
“Iran is prepared to offer what it considers concessions, but the issue is that America is not willing to lift major sanctions in exchange,” the source said.
Western sanctions have taken a heavy toll on Iran’s economy, affecting sectors ranging from oil exports to international banking. Tehran is seeking comprehensive relief, not partial or symbolic gestures.
Dispute Over Uranium Stockpile Transfer
Another technical issue complicating negotiations is the destination of Iran’s enriched uranium. While Washington wants the material shipped out quickly, Iran has proposed removal in several phases, citing concerns about logistics and national sovereignty.
Indus Waters Treaty Cannot Be Unilaterally Suspended, Says World Bank Chief
“There is disagreement over the destination to which the highly enriched uranium would be sent,” said the source. Potential recipient countries or storage arrangements remain unclear, but the sequencing and transparency of this transfer are critical to both sides.
Iranian President Slams Trump, Defends Iran’s Position
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded sharply to Trump’s comments, accusing the United States of sowing instability in the Middle East while simultaneously lecturing others about peace and human rights.
“Trump thinks he can sanction and threaten us and then talk of human rights,” Pezeshkian said on Tuesday. “All the crimes and regional instability is caused by them (the United States). He wants to create instability inside Iran.”
Pezeshkian also pushed back against accusations that Iran is the most destructive force in the region, arguing that the real destabilization has come from foreign interventions, particularly by the US.
Background: A Long-Running Standoff
Tensions between the United States and Iran over nuclear capabilities have persisted for more than two decades. The 2015 JCPOA, signed by Iran and world powers including the US, EU, Russia, and China, placed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
However, Trump’s withdrawal from the deal in 2018 and the subsequent “maximum pressure” campaign reignited hostilities, leading Iran to restart uranium enrichment at higher levels.
Efforts under the Biden administration to restore the agreement stalled, and now under Trump’s second term, a new round of backchannel diplomacy has resumed — albeit under tense conditions.
