President Donald Trump says that Iran must agree to halt its nuclear enrichment program for 20 years to end the war. The position is a climb-down from Trump’s prior demand that Tehran permanently end its enrichment program.
A US official told Axios that during talks in Pakistan, the US proposed a deal where Iran agreed to freeze its nuclear enrichment program. Sources explained to the outlet that Iranian mediators countered by halting their enrichment program for less than ten years.
Multiple Middle Eastern countries are attempting to mediate a resolution on this issue. It appears that both Washington and Tehran have backed down from their maximalist demands on the enrichment issue. Prior to the talks, Trump said Iran must agree to a permanent deal, and Tehran sought a deal that allowed it to operate a civilian nuclear program without additional restrictions.
Washington and Tehran also remain divided on how to handle Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium. Iran has offered to dilute the stockpile if US sanctions are lifted. The US is demanding that Iran export nuclear material.
After the talks, Tehran accused Washington of making “excessive demands.” The Iranian Foreign Minister said that the talks failed because the US changed its demands near the end of negotiations.
“In intensive talks at the highest level in 47 years, Iran engaged with the US in good faith to end war,” Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote on X. “But when just inches away from ‘Islamabad [Memorandum of Understanding],’ we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade. Zero lessons earned.”
In intensive talks at highest level in 47 years, Iran engaged with U.S in good faith to end war.
But when just inches away from “Islamabad MoU”, we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade.
Zero lessons earned
Good will begets good will.
Enmity begets enmity.— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 12, 2026
Trump has ordered a total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and is considering breaking the ceasefire by striking Iranian civilian sites. The White House believes the strikes and blockade will force Tehran to capitulate.
