Iran demands Trump guarantees before accepting new nuclear deal limits

Iran has conveyed to the United States that it is prepared to accept certain restrictions on its uranium enrichment program, provided it receives firm guarantees that former President Donald Trump will not unilaterally withdraw from a renewed nuclear agreement, a senior Iranian official said on April 18.

This message was delivered during indirect talks held last week in Oman between Iranian and U.S. officials. Caliber.Az reports via Reuters.

Trump, who reactivated a “maximum pressure” strategy against Tehran upon his return to power in February, famously pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear accord in 2018 during his first term. The deal, signed between Iran and six world powers, had imposed limits on Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Following the U.S. withdrawal, crippling sanctions were reimposed, prompting Iran to gradually exceed the pact’s original restrictions.

Although former President Joe Biden attempted to revive the 2015 deal during his administration, negotiations faltered—largely due to Washington's inability to offer Tehran long-term assurances that a future U.S. president would not again renege on the agreement.

Tehran has approached the current talks cautiously, expressing scepticism about the possibility of a viable agreement and continued distrust toward Trump. The former president has frequently threatened military action against Iran unless it halts its growing uranium enrichment program, which Tehran insists is intended solely for peaceful purposes.

Despite declarations from both Iran and the U.S. that diplomacy remains their preferred route, significant gaps persist over a dispute that has lingered for more than two decades.

An Iranian official speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity said Iran’s negotiating stance remains firmly bound by “red lines” established by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. These include a refusal to dismantle uranium enrichment centrifuges, an unwillingness to halt enrichment activities entirely, and a commitment to maintain enriched uranium stockpiles above the threshold agreed to in the original 2015 deal.

Iran is also unwilling to bring its missile program into the negotiations, asserting that such capabilities are outside the scope of nuclear talks.

“In indirect discussions in Oman, Iran came to understand that Washington does not seek a complete shutdown of all nuclear activity. This can serve as a common foundation for more balanced negotiations,” the Iranian official said.

On April 18, Iran's Foreign Ministry reiterated that a deal remains possible if the U.S. shows genuine intent and refrains from making “unrealistic demands.”

U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff, in a post on X on April 15, countered that Iran must “stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment” to reach any agreement with Washington.

According to the Iranian official, Tehran has expressed willingness to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which it views as the only legitimate party to verify the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities.

In exchange for that cooperation, Iran expects the United States to swiftly lift sanctions on its oil exports and financial sectors, the official said, adding that Iran’s lead negotiator, Abbas Araqchi, had clearly conveyed this message to the Americans.

By Tamilla Hasanova