Trump says US close to a nuclear deal with Iran
3 minute readPublished: Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 8:58 am
Trump Claims US "Very Close" to Iran Nuclear Deal, But Hurdles Remain
President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States is "very close" to a new nuclear deal with Iran, suggesting Tehran has "sort of agreed" to the terms. Speaking during a tour of the Gulf, Trump emphasized his preference for a diplomatic solution, stating he doesn't want to resort to "the violent step."
However, the path to a deal is far from clear. An Iranian source familiar with the negotiations revealed significant gaps remain to be bridged. Recent talks in Oman between US and Iranian negotiators concluded on Sunday, with further discussions planned.
Key sticking points include Iran's insistence on continuing uranium enrichment, a stance the US opposes. While Iran has signaled a willingness to reduce enrichment levels and the amount of highly enriched uranium in storage, it insists on maintaining stockpiles above the 2015 agreement levels, which Trump withdrew from.
Furthermore, disagreements persist regarding the lifting of major US sanctions, which have severely impacted the Iranian economy. Iran seeks a phased removal of sanctions, a proposal the US reportedly rejects. The destination of the highly enriched uranium is another point of contention.
Iranian officials have responded to Trump's comments, with one calling the US the source of regional instability. They maintain their right to enrich uranium on Iranian soil.
BNN's Perspective: The situation remains highly complex. While the potential for a deal is encouraging, the conflicting demands and deep-seated mistrust between the US and Iran present significant challenges. A successful agreement would require both sides to make substantial concessions and address the underlying issues driving the decades-long nuclear dispute. The economic impact of sanctions on Iran and the security concerns of both nations must be carefully considered.
Keywords: Iran nuclear deal, Donald Trump, US-Iran negotiations, uranium enrichment, sanctions, diplomacy, Middle East, nuclear program, Iranian economy, Oman talks, highly enriched uranium, concessions, red lines, military action, peace talks.