U.S. Demands Total Destruction of Iranian Nuclear Sites as Talks Pause After Three Hours
Geneva nuclear talks paused after just three hours as the U.S. issues an ultimatum: the total destruction of Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. While Iran offers a 5-year freeze, the Trump administration is holding firm on "Zero Enrichment" and the surrender of all uranium. Is a historic deal or a military strike next?
High-stakes indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran hit a significant roadblock today as the third round of talks in Geneva was halted after only three hours. The pause comes amid reports of "maximalist" U.S. demands that have left the future of the diplomatic track in question.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration has presented five core, non-negotiable demands that seek to dismantle the infrastructure of Iran's nuclear program permanently.
The U.S. "Five Pillars" Demand
The U.S. delegation, mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi, laid out the following requirements:
1. Permanent Destruction: The total physical destruction of the nuclear facilities at Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow.
2. Uranium Surrender: All of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles must be handed over directly to the United States.
3. No Expiration: The removal of "sunset clauses," making all restrictions on Iran permanent.
4. Zero Enrichment: A total ban on uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, with the sole exception of the Tehran Research Reactor, which would be allowed to produce minimal amounts for medical purposes only.
5. Strict Sanctions Compliance: Only minimal sanctions relief will be granted upon signing; further relief will be strictly contingent on verified Iranian compliance.
In an attempt to provide President Trump with a political victory while preserving their technical future, Iranian negotiators proposed a different framework:
A Temporary Freeze: A full suspension of nuclear activity and enrichment for a period of 3 to 5 years.
The "Regional Project": Following the suspension, Iran seeks to integrate into a regional nuclear project, allowing them to resume low-level enrichment (1.5%) for "medical research."
The sessions at the Omani Consulate ended abruptly after three hours so that both delegations could hold internal consultations. Despite the massive gap between the U.S. demand for "Zero Enrichment" and Iran’s hope to resume enrichment in the future, Omani mediators remain publicly optimistic.
"We held creative and positive exchanges of ideas today in Geneva," said Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi. "The American and Iranian delegations have now gone on a break. we will return to the talks later today. We hope to achieve further progress."
The talks are expected to resume in the coming hours, though observers note that the U.S. military buildup in the region continues unabated, signaling that the window for a diplomatic resolution is rapidly closing.