US sought 20-year uranium ban from Iran in Islamabad talks

The United States proposed that Iran accept a 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment during high-stakes negotiations in Islamabad over the weekend, a demand that emerged as a key sticking point in the failed talks, according to Axios.

“The United States suggested 20 years at a minimum with all kinds of other restrictions,” a source familiar with the discussions told Axios, underscoring the scale of Washington’s demands on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Iran, however, pushed back, offering a significantly shorter single digit timeline, highlighting the deep divide between the two sides.

According to Axios, differences over Iran’s nuclear programme, particularly whether Tehran would halt enrichment entirely and give up its existing stockpile, ultimately prevented a breakthrough.

US negotiators also sought the removal of all highly enriched uranium from Iran, while Tehran proposed a monitored process of down-blending instead, the report said.

Despite the impasse, a US official told Axios there remains continued engagement and forward motion toward a possible agreement. The talks, mediated by Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey, were seen as a rare opportunity to de-escalate tensions before a fragile ceasefire expires on April 21.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said efforts are ongoing to bridge the remaining gaps, while Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan are also involved in mediation.

Fidan suggested that initial positions in such negotiations are often maximalist, adding that both sides appear committed to maintaining a ceasefire while exploring common ground.

The report also highlighted tensions around the US delegation’s abrupt exit from Islamabad. Iranian negotiators, who believed a preliminary agreement was within reach, were caught off guard by remarks from Vice President JD Vance, who publicly blamed Tehran and signalled the end of the talks.

“The Iranians were pissed off about that press conference,” a source told Axios.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Washington had been contacted by “the right people in Iran” and that Tehran wants to make a deal, even as the US moves to increase pressure, including announcing a blockade targeting Iranian-linked shipping.

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