Iran May Accept a Deal Limiting Its Nuclear Program if Trump Doesn’t Withdraw Again

Tehran sets red lines: no dismantling of centrifuges, no total halt to enrichment, and no reduction in uranium stockpile.

19th April 2025

2 minutes read

Iran May Accept a Deal Limiting Its Nuclear Program if Trump Doesn’t Withdraw Again

A senior Iranian official said on Friday that Tehran informed the United States during talks last Saturday that it is willing to accept some restrictions on uranium enrichment—but it needs strong guarantees that President Donald Trump will not pull out of a new nuclear deal again.

Iran and the United States are scheduled to hold a second round of talks on Saturday in Rome, a week after the first round held in Oman, which both sides described as positive.

Trump reimposed a “maximum pressure” campaign on Tehran starting in February, after withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers in 2018 during his first term, and reintroduced tough sanctions on Iran.

Between Trump’s two terms, Tehran gradually exceeded the limitations set by the 2015 agreement, which was aimed at making it more difficult for Iran to develop a nuclear bomb.

Former U.S. President Joe Biden, whose administration tried unsuccessfully to restore the 2015 accord, was unable to meet Iran’s demand for guarantees that future American administrations would not abandon any new agreement.

Tehran remains cautious in the negotiations, skeptical of reaching a deal and wary of Trump’s repeated threats to bomb Iran if it does not halt its accelerated uranium enrichment program. The Islamic Republic insists its program is for peaceful purposes only.

While both Washington and Tehran say they are committed to continuing diplomatic efforts, their positions remain far apart after more than two decades of dispute.

The Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity to Reuters, said that Tehran’s red lines—set by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—are non-negotiable.

These red lines mean Iran will never agree to dismantle its uranium enrichment centrifuges, halt enrichment entirely, or reduce its enriched uranium stockpile below the levels agreed to in the 2015 deal that Trump abandoned. Iran also refuses to negotiate over its missile program, which it considers outside the scope of any nuclear agreement.

The source added that during indirect talks in Oman, Iran learned that Washington does not expect it to halt all nuclear activities, which could provide a fair starting point for negotiations.

On Friday, Iran said that an agreement with the United States is possible if Washington shows “serious intent” and avoids making “unrealistic demands.”

Chief U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff posted on X Tuesday that Iran must “cease nuclear enrichment and dispose of its stockpile of uranium enriched to weapons-grade levels” in order to reach a deal.

The Iranian official said Tehran is ready to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which it views as “the only legitimate entity in this process,” and to provide assurances that its nuclear activity is strictly for peaceful purposes.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told the Americans that the United States must immediately lift sanctions on Iran’s oil and financial sectors in exchange for this cooperation.