US Proposed 20-Year Iran Enrichment Moratorium

The United States proposed a 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment for Iran during weekend talks in Islamabad, according to Axios. Tehran responded by suggesting a shorter period in the single-digit-year range, sources said.

Diverging positions on the nuclear program, particularly uranium enrichment and the handling of existing stockpiles, prevented an agreement.

The US also demanded that Iran remove all highly enriched uranium from the country. Tehran instead proposed “monitored mixing” rather than complete removal. Negotiations ended without an agreement, although sources said the Iranian side believed a compromise was close.

Tensions were heightened by a press conference by the US vice president, who announced the delegation’s departure from Islamabad and blamed Iran, prompting a negative reaction from the other side.

Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey have been trying to bridge the differences before the ceasefire expires on 21 April. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced a blockade of Iran as a tool of pressure in the negotiations.

Iranian MP Seyyed Mahmoud Nabavian confirmed that no deal was reached because of US nuclear demands.

(max)