Media: US–Iran talks collapse over uranium enrichment freeze timeline

The United States proposed that Iran accept a 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment during recent negotiations in Islamabad, according to sources, in talks that stalled over major disagreements on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

The report, first published by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, cited a U.S. official and a source familiar with the discussions.

Iran countered with a much shorter “single-digit” timeframe, highlighting the central dispute that blocked progress. The core disagreement concerned whether Iran would halt enrichment entirely and give up existing uranium stockpiles.

The talks took place over the weekend with Pakistani, Egyptian and Turkish mediators involved, as efforts continue to secure a ceasefire before the current truce ends on April 21.

A U.S. official said, “There is continued engagement between the U.S. and Iran and forward motion on trying to get to an agreement.”

Behind the scenes, Washington reportedly pushed for strict conditions. A source familiar with the talks said: “The United States suggested 20 years at a minimum with all kinds of other restrictions,”

The U.S. also demanded that Iran remove all highly enriched uranium from the country, while Iranian negotiators proposed a “monitored process of down-blending” instead.

Although no agreement was reached, Iranian officials reportedly believed an initial deal was close by Sunday morning and were surprised by comments from U.S. Vice President JD Vance at a press conference, which they saw as signalling the U.S. delegation’s exit.

“The Iranians were pissed off about that press conference,” a source with knowledge said.

An Iranian parliament member involved in the talks said the nuclear issue was the key reason for the breakdown.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Vance told him the main sticking point was removing all enriched material and ensuring no enrichment “in the coming years, and that could be in decades.”

Mediation efforts continue. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said talks were ongoing to bridge gaps.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty is expected in Washington this week to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Turkish officials Hakan Fidan and Ibrahim Kalin are also involved.

Fidan said: "Initial positions are always somewhat maximalist. Later, the parties try to find common ground with the support of mediators. As long as they have the intention to reach, maintain, and permanently achieve a ceasefire. What I see is that both sides are sincere about the ceasefire."

He added Tehran would review the proposal and suggested a possible 45–60 day extension of the ceasefire window for further talks.

By Aghakazim Guliyev