President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s counter-proposal during ongoing nuclear negotiations, calling it ‘just not acceptable.’ This latest development comes as the U.S. and Iran continue to work toward a resolution that could prevent direct conflict, but the talks have reached a critical juncture. Trump, speaking to reporters after a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterated that Washington is ‘trying to make a deal’ to avoid destruction and death, though he admitted there’s no guarantee the negotiations will succeed. Despite these efforts, the U.S. has grown increasingly frustrated with Iran’s stance, particularly regarding its nuclear enrichment program. Trump said Iran has already returned a counter-proposal, but it remains unacceptable to Washington, with the White House expressing concerns over the lack of progress on key demands related to enrichment.
The negotiations come amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the global nuclear watchdog, has warned that it cannot verify whether Iran’s nuclear program is entirely peaceful. Director General Rafael Grossi, who confirmed in April that the IAEA has been excluded from nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, stated that the agency has been barred from inspecting old and new nuclear sites. Tehran has also reportedly scrubbed locations, which has impeded verification efforts. Grossi emphasized that Iran has repeatedly failed to provide technically credible answers to the IAEA’s questions about the presence of enriched uranium particles found at three sites, including Varamin, Marivan, and Turquzabad. In 2020, the IAEA uncovered man-made particles of enriched uranium at these sites, raising concerns about Iran’s continued nuclear ambitions.
Recent IAEA reports have confirmed that Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium. In February, the agency assessed that Tehran possessed 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60%, but by May 17, this amount had risen to approximately 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds). This increase means the regime is just a technical step away from being able to manufacture up to 10 nuclear warheads, according to reports. The IAEA has also confirmed that Iran has drastically increased its nuclear capabilities, raising further concerns about its military intentions. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has publicly rejected a U.S. proposal to end Iran’s nuclear program, though details of the document remain unclear. Some reports suggest the proposed deal did not include any relief from sanctions, which has fueled speculation that Iran is seeking more favorable terms in the negotiations.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, confirmed that the U.S. proposal was ‘not acceptable’ to Tehran and emphasized that the country would present its own counter-proposal to the U.S. via Oman after it was finalized. Baghaei described the Iranian proposal as ‘reasonable, logical, and balanced,’ indicating that the regime is not willing to compromise on key issues. U.S. officials have remained tight-lipped about the details of the proposal, though some reports suggest Trump has given Iran until June 11 to reach a deal. However, these claims have not been independently verified. As negotiations continue, both sides face mounting pressure to find a solution, with the risk of potential conflict growing. The situation remains extremely volatile, with the IAEA and global leaders closely monitoring the developments as they unfold.