US Vice President J.D. Vance stated Thursday that nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran are “very close” to a breakthrough, though final agreement has not been reached and President Trump has yet to decide whether to sign.

Vance told reporters that most key terms have been agreed upon, but core differences persist. “We’re making progress, but we’re not there yet,” he said, adding that the president will carefully evaluate final terms before making a decision.

Key Negotiation Points

According to sources familiar with the talks, the current focus centers on several critical areas:

• Uranium Enrichment Limits: The scale and monitoring of Iran’s uranium enrichment activities
• Sanctions Relief: The timeline for gradual removal of US economic sanctions on Iran
• Verification Mechanisms: The inspection authority and frequency of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• Regional Security: Iran’s military activities across the Middle East

International Response

Iran has previously expressed willingness to reach an agreement while safeguarding its sovereignty. Several European nations have also expressed interest in the negotiations, viewing a deal as beneficial for regional stability.

Markets showed modest reaction to the news, with oil prices fluctuating as investors weigh potential impacts on global energy supply.

Outlook Ahead

Analysts note that even if an agreement is reached, it may face political resistance within the US. Some members of Congress have expressed concerns about the verification mechanisms and the pace of sanctions relief.

US President Trump said he believes Iran wants to reach a deal but the US remains unsatisfied with the current terms, indicating that negotiations have not yet reached a breakthrough.

According to Reuters, citing a senior Iranian source, Iran has not agreed to hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the international community, keeping nuclear negotiations at a critical juncture.

The Core Dispute

The source noted that while Iran has held multiple rounds of talks with international parties on the nuclear issue, significant disagreements remain on how to handle the enriched uranium. Iran maintains that the enriched uranium is an essential component of its peaceful nuclear program, while the international community fears these materials could be diverted for military purposes.

Negotiation Background

Nuclear talks have been ongoing for months, with negotiations centering on uranium enrichment levels, verification mechanisms, and sanctions relief. Iran insists on retaining some uranium enrichment capability, while Western nations demand a significant reduction in the scale of Iran’s nuclear program.

International Response

The international community is closely watching the negotiations. Analysts suggest that if Iran ultimately agrees to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile, it would represent a major breakthrough in the nuclear talks; otherwise, negotiations could stall.

Consultations continue among all parties.

Source: Reuters