Diplomatic sources deny US reports about details of Iran-US deal
8 Min Read
Iran denounces renewed US sanctions targeting its trade partners, asserting its policies won't change under pressure.
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In this photo released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, speaks with an unidentified Omani official upon his arrival at Muscat, Oman, Friday, April 25, 2025, a day prior to negotiations with US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)
Diplomatic sources denied to Al Mayadeen US media reports, citing Iranian officials, regarding details of a potential nuclear agreement between Iran and the United States.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Tehran, citing diplomatic sources, clarified that the inspection of Iranian facilities will not take place outside the framework of international law and Iran’s legitimate rights.
Reuters reports about alleged terms of Iran-US nuclear agreement
On Friday, Reuters cited eight sources reporting that Tehran and Washington are negotiating a renewed nuclear framework that maintains the core elements of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which US President Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018.
The proposed agreement, described as a “JCPOA 2", would extend the deal’s duration to 25 years, impose stricter verification mechanisms, and broaden the so-called “sunset clauses” that govern temporary restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities, Reuters reported, citing all eight sources.
Despite being largely similar to the original accord, which Trump had once labeled “the worst in history," the updated framework introduces key modifications intended to strengthen oversight and limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities more effectively.
Uranium enrichment limits and IAEA oversight
As part of the proposed terms, Iran would agree to cap the size of its enriched uranium stockpile and restrict the types of centrifuges in operation. Sources indicated that Tehran would either dilute, export or seal its 60% enriched uranium under enhanced monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in exchange for significant sanctions relief.
Three Iranian officials confirmed that negotiations include discussions over uranium quantities, export mechanisms, and centrifuge numbers. The draft proposals would see Iran return to the 3.67% enrichment cap stipulated under the original JCPOA.
Additionally, Iran has expressed openness to granting the IAEA expanded access to its nuclear facilities, the Iranian sources said.
Enrichment compromises and sanctions relief
The current framework would not dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, a demand of "Israel" and some US officials, but would instead impose permanent enrichment restrictions to prevent a rapid “breakout” toward weaponization, Reuters claimed.
One senior Iranian security official allegedly noted that a compromise under discussion may allow Iran to retain minimal enrichment capabilities, up to 5,000 centrifuges, while importing the remainder of its enriched uranium, potentially from Russia.
In exchange, Tehran is seeking firm assurances that a future US administration would not unilaterally exit the agreement again, according to Reuters.
A regional source close to Tehran allegedly added that discussions are ongoing about whether Iran could keep a diluted portion of its stockpile domestically while sending another portion abroad.
The source claimed that Iran has floated the idea of selling enriched uranium to the US as part of a broader compromise.
Ballistic missiles file remains major hurdle
Beyond the nuclear file, a significant point of contention is Iran’s ballistic missile production, according to the report. The US and "Israel" insist that any new agreement must include limits on missile capabilities, which they argue could be used for delivering nuclear warheads.
Iran, however, maintains that its missile program is a sovereign right tied to national defense. A senior Iranian official reportedly said Tehran would not exceed the commitments of the 2015 deal but might refrain from producing nuclear-capable missiles as a "gesture of goodwill."
Nonetheless, Washington continues to push for including missile restrictions in the agreement, a proposal Iran has consistently rejected.
“The problem,” a regional security official told Reuters, “is that without addressing the missile issue, Trump cannot claim that the new deal goes beyond the JCPOA.”
Tehran denies French claims about imminent nuclear weapon
In a related context, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei pointed out that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot's claim that Iran is on the "cusp of developing" a nuclear weapon "is simply absurd."
"This false statement, coupled with the Minister’s open threats to reimpose sanctions, reinforces the suspicion that France's nagging posture risks evolving into a spoiling role," Baqaei wrote on X.
That won't add any credit to France and its status in Europe and globally.
French Foreign Minister’s claim that Iran is on the "cusp of developing" a nuclear weapon is simply absurd.
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) May 2, 2025
This false statement, coupled with the Minister’s open threats to reimpose sanctions, reinforces the suspicion that France's nagging posture risks evolving into a spoiling…
Iran stands firm Trump threats 'will not change' positions
Iran declared on Friday that the continuation of US sanctions targeting its trade partners will not alter its policy direction.
The statement came in response to renewed threats from US President Donald Trump, who vowed to penalize any country or individual engaged in trade involving Iranian oil.
"The continuation of these illegal behaviours will not change Iran's logical, legitimate and international law-based positions," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.
Tehran condemned the sanctions as a form of pressure on its economic partners and warned they have deepened mistrust over the US approach to diplomacy.
Trump demands global boycott of Iranian oil
On Thursday, Trump used his Truth Social platform to call for an immediate and total halt to the purchase of Iranian oil and petrochemical products.
"All purchases of Iranian Oil, or Petrochemical products, must stop, NOW!" he wrote.
"Any Country or person who buys ANY AMOUNT of OIL or PETROCHEMICALS from Iran will be subject to, immediately, Secondary Sanctions," he added.
The post marked an escalation in Trump’s revived "maximum pressure" strategy, which has included a new round of sanctions targeting seven companies accused of transporting petroleum products of Iranian origin.
US-Iran talks postponed
Trump’s remarks came shortly after Iran announced the postponement of a fourth round of nuclear talks with the United States, initially scheduled for Saturday in Rome.
The talks, facilitated by Oman, were delayed due to "logistical reasons", with a new date yet to be confirmed.
Postponement result of US conflicting stances
Iranian sources told Al Mayadeen on Thursday that the postponement came in light of the conflicting positions taken by the US administration regarding the talks.
They added that the postponement was due to Washington’s attempt to alter the general framework of the talks, which had been previously agreed upon.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that a new date for the fourth round of talks will be set "depending on the US approach."
"US sanctions on Iran during the nuclear talks are not helping the sides to resolve the nuclear dispute through diplomacy," the official told Reuters.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that "on Iran's part, there is no change in our determination to secure a negotiated solution."
"In fact, we are more determined than ever to achieve a just and balanced deal: guaranteeing an end to sanctions, and creating confidence that Iran's nuclear program will forever remain peaceful while ensuring that Iranian rights are fully respected," the top Iranian diplomat asserted in a post on X.
Together with Omani and U.S. interlocutors, we have decided to postpone the 4th round of talks for logistical and technical reasons.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 1, 2025
On Iran's part, there is no change in our determination to secure a negotiated solution.
In fact, we are more determined than ever to achieve a…
On its part, the US said it expects the next round of talks with Iran to take place soon.
"We expect another round of talks that will take place in the near future," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters, saying that the weekend meeting had never been confirmed.
Resumed diplomacy
Since April 12, Tehran and Washington have engaged in three rounds of dialogue, the most significant contact on the nuclear issue since Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
These recent talks were initiated after Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei in March, calling for renewed discussions while simultaneously warning of potential military action if diplomacy did not succeed.
The tension surrounding Iran’s nuclear program has intensified since the US exit from the JCPOA, which had provided Tehran with sanctions relief in exchange for limiting its nuclear activities.
Iran remained in compliance for a year following the withdrawal but gradually began scaling back its commitments.
Western governments have accused Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran firmly rejects.
Iranian officials maintain that the country’s nuclear program is strictly for peaceful, civilian purposes.
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