US Seeks 20-Year Nuclear Halt, Iran Proposes 5-Year Pause In Talks
US-Iran talks stall over disagreement on nuclear freeze duration.
High-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran came close to a breakthrough but ultimately stalled over a key disagreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme, particularly the duration of a proposed uranium enrichment freeze.
According to reports, the talks—held in Islamabad as part of efforts to secure a broader ceasefire—were nearly “80% complete” before collapsing over the nuclear clause. The United States pushed for a 20-year freeze on Iran’s uranium enrichment, a demand aimed at ensuring Tehran would not be able to develop nuclear weapons capability over the long term.
Iran, however, countered with a significantly shorter timeline, offering to suspend enrichment for up to five years. This gap proved too wide to bridge during the negotiations, with both sides unwilling to compromise on what has long been the most sensitive issue in their decades-long standoff.
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The disagreement reflects fundamentally different strategic positions. Washington’s proposal was designed to impose long-term restrictions and potentially include additional measures such as exporting enriched uranium and allowing stricter monitoring. Tehran, on the other hand, sought a shorter-term arrangement that would preserve its nuclear infrastructure and future flexibility.
The nuclear issue emerged as the central sticking point despite progress on other fronts, including discussions around reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing sanctions. Diplomats involved in the talks indicated that momentum had built during the negotiations, but quickly dissipated once the enrichment timeline became the focus.
Despite the breakdown, both sides have signalled that diplomacy is not over. Officials indicated that further rounds of talks are being considered, even as tensions remain high following the United States’ recent military and economic pressure measures against Iran.
The episode underscores how the nuclear question continues to dominate US-Iran relations. While there appears to be some willingness on both sides to negotiate, the stark difference between a five-year and 20-year freeze highlights the challenges in reaching a comprehensive and lasting agreement.
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