Washington — Iran submitted an updated proposal to revive negotiations over its nuclear program, but senior US officials told Axios the draft falls short and does not move talks toward a deal. The revised text, delivered Sunday night through Pakistani intermediaries, contains only limited changes from earlier submissions, US sources said.
According to officials briefed on the matter, Tehran’s latest paper reiterates language denying any intention to build nuclear weapons but stops short of detailed, verifiable commitments on pausing uranium enrichment or transferring its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The White House regards those omissions as central shortcomings and describes the submission as “not a meaningful improvement.”
US diplomats and national security figures warned that prolonged stalemate risks renewed hostilities. A senior official cautioned that if Iran does not shift its posture, Washington could be forced to consider military measures. President Donald Trump has reportedly said “the clock is ticking” and warned Tehran it could face tougher action if it fails to show flexibility.
Some Iranian-linked sources have signaled that Washington has signaled willingness to ease certain economic pressures during talks. Tasnim reported that, unlike earlier exchanges, the United States accepted in a new draft a temporary waiver on Iran’s oil sanctions for the negotiation period — effectively a limited, short-term suspension of some restrictions. US officials say any such relief would be conditional and require reciprocal Iranian steps.
US officials are weighing how long to keep pressing diplomatic channels and when to pivot to other options. Trump is expected to convene his top national security team in the Situation Room to assess the escalating situation and explore possible courses of action, including military ones.
Despite indirect exchanges through intermediaries, both sides remain far apart. Washington insists on concrete, verifiable limits on Iran’s nuclear activities; Tehran insists full sanctions relief must precede any substantive commitments. US officials say they need more specific, granular proposals on nuclear restrictions, while Iranian officials publicly maintain they have time and that pressure is on Washington to make concessions.
US policymakers interpret Iran’s continued submissions as evidence Tehran is concerned about the risk of military escalation, even as Iranian leaders press for sanctions relief as the starting point for serious negotiations. The reporting underscores mounting frustration in Washington that, absent meaningful concessions from Tehran, negotiations may fail and force the administration to consider alternatives.
This article is based on reporting from Axios and other syndicated sources; the Tribune has published the material as received and assumes no responsibility for its independent verification.
