Iran rejects short-term halt on uranium enrichment to safe U.S. nuclear deal

Members of the Iranian delegation depart the Omani embassy, the place the fifth spherical of U.S.-Iran talks takes place, in Rome, on May 23, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

“Iran will not consider temporarily suspending uranium enrichment to secure a nuclear deal with the United States,” a Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated on Monday (May 26, 2025), including that no date had but been set for a sixth spherical of talks with Washington.

The negotiations between Washington and Tehran goal to resolve a decades-long dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and either side have taken a tricky stance in public over the difficulty of Iran’s uranium enrichment.

Asked about studies that Iran may freeze enrichment for 3 years to achieve an settlement, spokesperson Esmail Baghaei informed a press convention: “Iran won’t ever settle for that.”

President Donald Trump stated on Sunday (May 25, 2025) that the U.S. negotiators had “superb” talks with an Iranian delegation over the weekend.

“Iran is waiting for further details from mediator Oman regarding the timing of the next round of talks,” Mr. Baghaei stated. “If there’s goodwill from the American aspect, we’re additionally optimistic, but when talks are geared toward curbing Iran’s rights then talks will get nowhere,” he added. The stakes are excessive for either side.

Mr. Trump needs to curtail Tehran’s potential to provide a nuclear weapon that might set off a regional nuclear arms race and maybe threaten Israel.

Iran, for its half, maintains its nuclear programme is completely for civilian functions and desires to be rid of devastating sanctions on its oil-based financial system.