TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The United States (US) and Iran have narrowed their negotiations to four key nuclear issues as both sides move closer to a potential agreement, although major disagreements and regional tensions continue to threaten the fragile diplomatic process.
As reported by The New York Times, US officials and diplomats familiar with the confidential discussions said negotiations have advanced beyond preliminary talks and are now centered on the core elements of a possible nuclear accord.
The four issues include a suspension of uranium enrichment, the handling of Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, the future of Iran's major nuclear facilities, and expanded international inspections.
The United States has demanded that Iran halt uranium enrichment for at least 20 years, while Tehran has proposed a 10-year suspension. According to officials familiar with the talks, American negotiators believe a compromise of around 15 years could eventually be reached.
Another major point of contention involves Iran's stockpile of approximately 11 tons of enriched uranium. Washington wants the material diluted under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with the United States playing an active role in the process. Iran, however, insists that US involvement should be limited to an observer role.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly stated that any agreement must address Iran's entire uranium stockpile, including material enriched to near weapons-grade levels.
Negotiators are also discussing the future of Iran's three major nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan. The United States is seeking the dismantlement of all three sites, while Iran has indicated it may be willing to close two facilities but wants to keep one operational.
A fourth unresolved issue concerns inspection access. Washington is demanding "snap inspections" that would allow international inspectors to enter facilities anywhere in Iran without prior notice. Tehran has not yet agreed to the proposal.
According to i24News, US and Iranian negotiators have reached the point where these four issues now dominate discussions, reflecting significant progress compared with earlier stages of the talks.
Despite the advances, the negotiations remain highly fragile.
Last week, President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner visited the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee to examine the equipment and expertise that could be required to remove and dilute Iran's uranium stockpile. The visit was widely interpreted as a sign that US officials believe a framework agreement may be within reach.
At the same time, Iran has continued to push for the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets. Iranian officials and senior members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have argued that sanctions relief and asset releases should begin before a final agreement is completed.
The United States has rejected that approach, insisting that any funds would be released gradually as Iran fulfills its obligations under the agreement.
The diplomatic effort has also been complicated by renewed military tensions in the region.
Over the weekend, Iran and Israel exchanged missile attacks, raising concerns that the violence could derail the negotiations. US officials told The New York Times that Witkoff maintained direct communication with Iranian officials during the crisis, urging Tehran to avoid further escalation.
According to those officials, the discussions contributed to Iran's decision to halt its attacks. President Trump subsequently pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel a planned strike inside Iran.
Trump has continued to express confidence that an agreement remains close.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the US president said a deal could be reached within "two or three days" and described the negotiations as being in "the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal."
However, analysts note that Trump has repeatedly predicted an imminent breakthrough. According to i24News, the president has publicly suggested that a deal was close dozens of times since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury.
The outcome may ultimately depend on whether Iranian leaders conclude that the economic benefits of an agreement outweigh domestic opposition from hard-line political and military factions.
Under the framework being discussed, Iran could gain relief from sanctions, regain access to approximately US$25 billion in frozen assets, and restore its ability to export oil more freely. In return, Tehran would be required to accept unprecedented restrictions on its nuclear activities.
For now, negotiators appear closer to a framework than at any point in recent months, but regional instability and unresolved disputes continue to leave the prospects for a final agreement uncertain.
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