Iran Hardens Stance on Nuclear Program, Deepening Impasse in U.S. Talks

WASHINGTON — Iran has stiffened its negotiating position in recent days, insisting on retaining its right to uranium enrichment and rejecting key U.S. demands, leading to a clear impasse in indirect talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.

Iran’s latest counterproposal, delivered through Pakistani intermediaries, offers minimal new concessions. Tehran continues to demand an immediate end to the U.S. naval blockade, full sanctions relief, and guarantees against future attacks before addressing its nuclear program. Nuclear issues would be handled only in later phases, according to Iranian officials. This mirrors previous Iranian positions and falls far short of U.S. requirements for verifiable limits on enrichment and the removal or down-blending of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly described Iranian responses as “unacceptable” and accused Tehran of playing for time. The administration maintains that any final agreement must include ironclad verification that Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon, an end to support for regional proxies, and unrestricted commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The hardening of Iran’s position comes as its Supreme Leader has reportedly ordered that the country’s enriched uranium stockpile remain inside Iran under any circumstances. Iranian officials have publicly declared that enrichment is an “inalienable right” and will not be surrendered in negotiations.

U.S. officials, including senior figures in the Trump administration, have expressed growing frustration. The naval blockade of Iranian ports remains fully in effect, costing Iran hundreds of millions of dollars daily in lost oil revenue. While a fragile ceasefire has held since early April, it has been repeatedly tested by incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and proxy activity.

Pakistan-mediated indirect talks continue, but progress has stalled. Gulf states have urged caution to avoid further escalation and oil price spikes, yet the gap between the two sides on the nuclear question appears wider than ever. Trump has kept military options on the table, warning that further provocations will be met with overwhelming force.

The current deadlock leaves the conflict in a tense limbo, with the U.S. maintaining maximum economic pressure while Iran shows little willingness to make the concessions Washington considers essential for a lasting deal. No new round of substantive talks has been scheduled.