2025–2026 Iran–United States negotiations - Wikipedia
Although the country suspended its formal nuclear weapons program in 2003,[47] in December 2024, the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA reported enrichment to levels approaching weapons-grade. It also found an unprecedented stockpile of highly enriched uranium without a credible civilian purpose, giving Iran the capacity to produce enough fissile material for multiple bombs on short notice.
In 2015, however, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed, imposing strict limitations on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.[58] In 2018, the United States withdrew from the agreement, with President Donald Trump stating that "the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction: that a murderous regime desired only a peaceful nuclear energy program".[59] The US also contended that the agreement was inadequate because it did not impose limitations on Iran's ballistic missile program,[60] and failed to curb its backing of proxy groups.
The first round was held on April 12, 2025, in Muscat, Oman... An Iranian news outlet reported that during the talks in Oman, Iran proposed a three-step plan to reach a deal with the United States:
Iran would agree to temporarily lower its uranium enrichment to 3.67% in return for access to frozen financial assets in the United States and authorization to export its oil. Iran would permanently halt high-level uranium enrichment, restore inspections by the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA, and commit to implementing the Additional Protocol, allowing for surprise inspections at undeclared sites. These steps would be taken if the United States lifts further sanctions and persuades Britain, Germany, and France not to trigger the snapback of UN sanctions against Tehran. The U.S. Congress would approve the nuclear agreement and Washington would lift both primary and secondary sanctions, while Iran would transfer its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium to a third country.[90]Iran had reportedly also proposed steps to deescalate tensions, including a pledge to disarm and freeze the activities of Hamas, the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hashd al-Shaabi.[91]
On May 1, defense secretary Hegseth posted that Iran will pay for supporting Houthis attacks on merchant ships in Red Sea crisis. President Trump warned of secondary sanctions on entities buying any oil or petrochemicals from Iran. Rubio warned to walk away from nuclear enrichment. Araghchi canceled the May 4 meeting citing a "technical reason".[107][108][109] Trump has called for the full dismantling of nuclear enrichment.[110] Iran then unveiled a new ballistic missile and threatened to hit US military bases.[111][112] Revolutionary Guard General Salami warned that IRGC would open hell gates on invaders.[113]
The fourth round of negotiations, originally scheduled for May 3, 2025, in Rome, was postponed amid rising tensions. Iranian officials cited U.S. sanctions, military action against the Houthis, and what they described as "contradictory behaviour and provocative statements" by Washington as contributing factors, while stating that a new date would depend on the U.S. approach.
On May 7, 2025, ahead of the 2025 visit by Donald Trump to the Middle East, U.S. officials reported that president Donald Trump had decided that United States federal agencies would refer to the Persian Gulf as the "Arabian Gulf" or the "Gulf of Arabia" and had plans to make it official during a planned visit to Saudi Arabia later in May.[116][117] This plan received outrage and condemnation from Iranians and the Iranian government.
According to unnamed Iranian officials, Iran proposed a joint nuclear-enrichment project with regional Arab states and U.S. investment as an alternative to dismantling its nuclear program. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff denied this was being discussed. The plan's feasibility remained uncertain given regional tensions and the lack of diplomatic ties between Iran and the U.S. for 45 years.[
On May 14, 52 senators and 177 congressmen wrote a letter to Trump to reject any deal that would allow Iran to continue uranium enrichment, stating that no agreement should leave open a path to nuclear weapons.[140] On May 14, Iran ratified the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime as part of its efforts to meet the FATF Action Plan requirements for improving its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing system.
Khamenei advisor Shamkhani responded to Trump's offer and said that the Iranian government was ready to sign the nuclear deal in exchange for the quick removal of all financial sanctions,[145] whilst at the same time criticizing Trump's rhetoric and ongoing threats, saying: “He speaks of an olive branch, but we see only barbed wire.”[145] Trump confirmed that the U.S. was very close to reaching a nuclear deal with Iran and that he preferred a peaceful solution over military action.[146] However, Iranian officials denied having received a new U.S. proposal and insisted they would not give up their right to enrich uranium.
The Trump administration has increasingly demanded that Iran abandon uranium enrichment, making this a central issue.[
On May 20, CNN reported Israel was preparing to strike Iranian nuclear facilities,[154] an action that would mark a clear break with Trump's efforts.[154] Iran warned that any Israeli attack would be met with a “devastating and decisive response.”[155] The day after, the U.S. imposed new measures targeting Iran's construction sector, linked to the IRGC, and restricted 10 materials tied to its nuclear and military programs.
The fifth round of talks, held on May 23 in Rome, ended without a breakthrough, though both sides agreed to continue discussions. U.S. officials described the talks as constructive but emphasized that significant differences remained, particularly over the demand from the U.S. that Iran dismantle its uranium enrichment program. Iran maintained that while it was open to limiting enrichment levels, giving up enrichment entirely was unacceptable and would collapse the negotiations.
In the weeks leading up to the fifth round, tensions between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had increased over the U.S. decision to engage in nuclear talks with Iran, which Israel viewed as a serious threat to its security and regional interests.[159] Israel strongly opposed the negotiations, lobbying against diplomatic efforts and threatening unilateral military action, including potential strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a position critics warned could endanger diplomacy and heighten regional tensions.
On June 2, Reuters reported that Iran was preparing to decline the U.S. proposal.[167][168] After speculation that Iran might be allowed limited uranium enrichment under a possible deal, Senator Schumer demanded that Witkoff testify before Congress to clarify whether any such side agreement existed.[169] The administration publicly maintained that Iran would not be permitted to enrich uranium.[169] Trump also declared firmly that the deal would prohibit it.[170] Khamenei responded that uranium enrichment is central to Iran's nuclear program and he rejected U.S. demands to halt it.[171]
On June 9, Iran rejected the Trump administration's proposal for a new nuclear deal but announced plans to present a counteroffer through Omani mediators. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei called the U.S. proposal unacceptable and not aligned with the ongoing negotiations. The main points of disagreement included Iran's right to continue domestic uranium enrichment, the handling of its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, and the conditions for lifting sanctions against Iran. While Trump demanded the full dismantlement of Iran's enrichment program, Iranian leaders insisted that enrichment was non-negotiable. The latest U.S. offer reportedly included assistance in building nuclear power reactors and allowed limited enrichment until a regional consortium facility becomes operational.[174][175] A central demand from Iran was that sanctions relief must bring tangible economic benefits. Baghaei emphasized that this includes guarantees of restored banking and trade ties with other countries before any sanctions are lifted.[174][176] He also urged the international community to address Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal and prevent it from derailing negotiations.
On June 12, 2025, IAEA found Iran non-compliant with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years.[180] The IAEA stated that Iran's repeated failure to fully address questions about undeclared nuclear material and activities amounted to non-compliance.[181] It also raised concerns over Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, which could be used for both reactor fuel and nuclear weapons.[181] Iran dismissed the resolution as politically motivated,[181] and declared plans to build a new enrichment site and install advanced centrifuges.[182]
Beginning on June 13, 2025, Israel struck multiple targets across Iran[183] with the stated goal of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.[184] The attacks damaged key nuclear facilities and killed several of Iran's top military leaders.[185][186][187] Among those injured was Khamenei's political advisor Ali Shamkhani, who oversaw negotiations between the United States and Iran.
On June 21, following orders from Trump, the U.S. bombed the Fordow uranium enrichment facility, the Natanz nuclear facility, and the Isfahan nuclear technology center in Iran.[196] On June 24, Trump declared a ceasefire.[
Afterwards, U.S. envoy Witkoff stated that the U.S. and Iran were engaging in both direct and mediated discussions aimed at returning to negotiations for a comprehensive peace agreement.[200] He also emphasized that the American position requires Iran to halt all uranium enrichment—a stance the White House had not consistently maintained during earlier rounds of negotiations.
Iranian government hardliners criticized the negotiations, while the government offered to dilute the remaining 60% enriched uranium in exchange for all sanctions being lifted.[
On March 2, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff revealed that Iran began recent nuclear talks by insisting on its "inalienable right" to enrich uranium, rejecting a US proposal for zero enrichment, and even boasting that its 460 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium could produce 11 nuclear bombs.[236][237] Some experts suggested that the US negotiators misunderstood the Iranian proposal, including Iran's offer to suspend uranium enrichment for several years and why Iran did not trust the US offer of nuclear fuel fuel supplies.[238]
On Saturday, February 28, 2026, the US and Israel launched a series of strikes against Iran, targeting key officials, military commanders, and facilities. Iran responded by launching strikes against Israel and American military bases in the Middle East, as well as civilian targets.[252][253] Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a number of Iranian officials, including the Minister of Defense Aziz Nasirzadeh, and the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Mohammad Pakpour, were killed in the strikes.