DOHA: US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States is close to securing a nuclear deal with Iran, saying Tehran has “sort of” agreed to the terms.
“We’re in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace,” Trump said during a Gulf tour, according to an AFP report.
He added, “We’re getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this … there [are] two steps to doing this, there is a very, very nice step and there is the violent step, but I don’t want to do it the second way.”
An Iranian source familiar with the talks cautioned that significant gaps remain between the two sides. Recent negotiations in Oman concluded on Sunday with plans for further discussions, as Iran maintains its uranium enrichment program.
While both Washington and Tehran prefer diplomatic solutions to the longstanding nuclear dispute, major disagreements persist over key issues. Iran insists on its right to enrich uranium, a red line the US opposes, although Tehran has shown some willingness to reduce enrichment levels.
Iranian officials are also prepared to decrease their stockpile of highly enriched uranium but want to maintain levels agreed upon in the 2015 nuclear deal, which the US withdrew from under Trump’s administration.
The Iranian source pointed out that although Iran is willing to offer concessions, the US has been reluctant to lift major sanctions in return. There is also disagreement over the staged removal of enriched uranium and its final destination, complicating the talks.
Iran’s president criticized Trump’s remarks earlier in the week, accusing the US of being the “most destructive force” in the Middle East and blaming it for regional instability.
As negotiations continue, both sides face the challenge of bridging differences to avoid escalation and reach a lasting agreement.