WASHINGTON / TEHRAN – Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States is getting “very close” to securing a new nuclear agreement with Iran, indicating that Tehran had “sort of” agreed to the proposed terms.
“We’re in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace,” Trump said during a tour of the Gulf, according to an AFP pool report. He added: “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.”
Despite the optimism expressed by Trump, an Iranian source familiar with the ongoing talks suggested significant gaps remain between Tehran and Washington. Oil prices dropped by approximately $2 on Thursday amid growing expectations of a potential deal, which could lead to a partial easing of U.S. sanctions on Iran.
Negotiations between Iranian and American officials resumed recently in Oman, where talks ended on Sunday with more meetings expected. Tehran has continued to insist on its right to enrich uranium, even as diplomatic discussions intensify.
According to U.S. officials cited by Axios, the Trump administration presented Iran with a fresh proposal during the fourth round of negotiations. However, a senior Iranian official denied receiving any new offer, reaffirming Iran’s position that it will not compromise on its uranium enrichment rights.
While both nations claim to favor a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear impasse, deep divisions remain over key issues. Iran demands the complete lifting of sanctions and firm guarantees that the U.S. will not abandon the deal again, as Trump did in 2018 when he withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
In an interview with NBC News, Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Tehran is open to a deal in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Shamkhani noted that Iran is prepared to limit uranium enrichment to civilian levels and allow international inspections to verify compliance.
Nonetheless, Iranian officials told Reuters that enrichment beyond 5% remains a part of the negotiations. “It is a complex and technical issue and depends on the other party’s readiness to effectively and verifiably lift sanctions on Iran,” one official stated.
Tehran has repeatedly stressed that reducing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to levels below those allowed under the 2015 deal is a critical red line. Iranian negotiators are reportedly willing to accept limits on enrichment, but in return, they seek phased sanctions relief and guarantees of deal longevity.
Iranian sources close to the talks emphasized that while Tehran is willing to make certain concessions, “the issue is that America is not willing to lift major sanctions in exchange.” Disagreements also persist over where Iran’s enriched uranium should be sent and the timeline for its reduction.
The outcome of these negotiations could significantly impact regional stability and global energy markets. As talks continue, both sides remain under pressure to find common ground while avoiding the collapse of yet another attempt at nuclear diplomacy.
