US-Iran Negotiations at a Standstill as Drafts Shuttle Daily Without Breakthrough
US official describes process as “agonizing” with major gaps on uranium stockpile and Strait of Hormuz; military options remain on the table as Trump weighs new strikes.
WASHINGTON / TEHRAN — Indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran have reached a critical impasse, with a US official describing the diplomatic effort as “agonizing” as draft proposals continue to be exchanged daily without meaningful progress toward a final agreement, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions .
The official, speaking to Axios on condition of anonymity, said drafts have been “going back and forth every day” with little forward movement, as the two sides remain deeply divided over the core issues of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the future of navigation rights in the strategic Strait of Hormuz .
‘Agonizing’ Process: Drafts Daily, No Breakthrough
The assessment paints a stark picture of diplomatic stagnation despite intense behind-the-scenes engagement. Pakistan remains the primary mediator, shuttling messages between Washington and Tehran, with Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, making his second trip to Tehran in recent weeks .
A senior Iranian official confirmed that while the two sides continue to exchange views, they are “not close” to an agreement. “Diplomacy is a process that takes time,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state media. “It cannot be said that with a few visits over a few weeks or months we will reach a conclusion. Both sides are only conveying their own viewpoints” .
The frustration is echoed on the American side. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged “slight progress” in the talks while cautioning against raising expectations. “There’s been some progress. I wouldn’t exaggerate it. I wouldn’t diminish it,” Rubio told reporters at a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden. “There’s more work to be done. We’re not there yet” .
The Uranium Deadlock: A Red Line for Both Sides
The single most significant obstacle to any agreement remains Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium — approximately 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, just one technical step below weapons-grade material .
| Issue | US Position | Iran’s Position |
|---|---|---|
| Enriched Uranium Stockpile | Must be transferred out of Iran and destroyed | Must remain inside Iran; will not be exported |
| Enrichment Level | 60% enrichment is far above civilian needs | Asserts right to peaceful enrichment under NPT |
| Stockpile Size | Enough material for 10+ nuclear warheads if further enriched | Views stockpile as strategic asset for national security |
| Alternative Proposals | Insists on physical removal | Open to “downblending” under IAEA supervision |
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has reportedly issued a directive that the country’s enriched uranium “should not leave the country,” reflecting a consensus within Iran’s power structure . Senior Iranian officials view the stockpile as a “vital strategic asset for survival” and believe that sending the material abroad would leave the country more vulnerable to future US or Israeli attacks .
“There remains deep suspicion among senior Iranian officials that the current pause in fighting could simply be a tactical timeout before additional strikes,” a White House spokeswoman told Reuters, summarizing Tehran’s concerns .
President Donald Trump has been unequivocal in his counter-demand. “We will get it. We don’t need it, we don’t want it. We’ll probably destroy it after we get it, but we’re not going to let them have it,” Trump told reporters at the White House this week .
Trump has reportedly assured Israeli officials that any peace agreement will include a clause requiring the removal of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile from the country .
Strait of Hormuz: ‘Tolling System’ Rejected
The second major sticking point involves control of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil supply normally passes. Iran has proposed a toll system that would require vessels to pay fees for safe passage under Iranian supervision .
US officials have firmly rejected this proposal. “If Iran pushes for a toll system in the Strait, a diplomatic agreement would become impossible,” Rubio stated. “No one in the world supports a toll system; it is unacceptable, completely illegal, and a threat to the world” .
The issue carries significant strategic weight. Accepting such a system would imply US recognition of Iranian maritime control over the waterway — a concession Washington is unwilling to make .
| Mediator | Role |
|---|---|
| Pakistan | Primary mediator; Field Marshal Munir has made multiple trips to Tehran |
| Qatar | Supporting mediation; delegation joined Munir in Tehran |
| Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt | Supporting the broader mediation effort |
As one US official noted, the talks have been complicated by “fractures” within Iran’s leadership, with reports indicating disagreement among senior officials over potential nuclear concessions. Institute for the Study of War (ISW) analysts have noted that Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRCC) Commander Major General Ahmad Vahidi appears to play a dominant role in policy formation and has reportedly opposed discussions over the nuclear issue .
Military Options: ‘Seriously Considering’ New Strikes
As diplomatic efforts drag on without resolution, President Trump is reportedly “seriously considering” launching fresh strikes against Iran if last-minute negotiations do not produce a peace deal, according to Axios, citing sources who have spoken directly with the president .
Trump convened a meeting with his senior national security team on Friday morning to discuss the conflict with Iran. The meeting was attended by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and other key officials .
“Iran is dying to make a deal. We’ll see what happens. But we hit them hard, and we had no choice because Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. They cannot have it,” Trump said at an event at the White House on Friday .
Vice President Vance reinforced the message, stating that while the US is negotiating in good faith, it remains “locked and loaded” and prepared to take stronger action if necessary .
Domestic Pressures: Calls to ‘Finish the Mission’
Adding to the complexity, senior Republican voices are urging the administration to abandon diplomatic efforts and return to military action. Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued a formal statement Friday criticizing the current direction of the Trump administration.
“President Trump is being given bad advice to push toward a deal with Tehran,” Wicker said. “The truth is that the operation he began against Iran should continue until the mission is complete” .
Wicker argued that the time had come to allow US armed forces to fully dismantle Iran’s military capabilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which he described as both a security and strategic necessity. “We are at a decisive moment that will define President Trump’s legacy,” Wicker said. “Further efforts toward a deal with Iran risk projecting an image of weakness” .
His remarks directly contradicted the administration’s public posture, with Wicker accusing Trump of receiving “misleading advice” steering him toward an agreement he characterized as unworthy of the effort invested .
Israel Tensions: Netanyahu Pushes Back
The stalled negotiations have also created friction between Washington and its closest regional ally. According to Axios, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a lengthy and tense phone call on May 20, revealing a deep disagreement between the two leaders over how to bring the war to an end .
Netanyahu is reportedly “highly skeptical about the negotiations and wants to resume the war” to further degrade Iran’s military capabilities and weaken the regime by destroying its critical infrastructure .
An unnamed official revealed that the two leaders “had a tense phone call” regarding this issue, and Israel wants to continue increasing military pressure on Tehran, while Trump continues to say he thinks a deal can be reached .
Trump informed Netanyahu that regional mediators, Qatar and Pakistan, were working on a good-faith letter intended to be signed by both Washington and Tehran, with the aim of formally ending hostilities and launching a 30-day negotiating period covering sensitive issues including Iran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz .
What Comes Next: ‘Critical Situation’ With No Breakthrough in Sight
With both sides holding firm on their core demands and the diplomatic window narrowing, the prospects for a near-term breakthrough appear limited.
| Scenario | Likelihood | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear compromise via downblending | Uncertain | Iran has offered this before; US may accept under pressure |
| Talks extended without resolution | Moderate | Both sides may continue indirect engagement |
| Renewed US-Israeli strikes | Possible | Trump weighing military options; Wicker urging action |
| Ceasefire collapse | Possible | Netanyahu pushing for resumption of war |
Iranian officials have described the current moment as a “turning point” or “critical situation” due to the intensity of diplomatic activity, but caution against interpreting this as a sign of imminent agreement .
“We cannot necessarily say that we have reached a point where an agreement is close,” Baghaei said. “If we try to dig too deeply into the details of Iran’s highly enriched uranium, we will never reach a conclusion, or an agreement” .
For now, the fragile Pakistan-brokered ceasefire that took effect on April 8 remains in place. But with drafts shuttling daily without progress, US officials describing the process as “agonizing,” and military options being actively considered, the window for diplomacy appears to be closing .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the current status of US-Iran negotiations?
A: Negotiations have stalled, with a US official describing the process as “agonizing” as drafts are exchanged daily without meaningful progress. Iranian officials have confirmed that the two sides are “not close” to an agreement .
Q2: What are the main obstacles to a deal?
A: Two issues remain the primary sticking points: (1) Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium — the US demands it be transferred out of the country, while Iran refuses to export it; and (2) control of the Strait of Hormuz — the US rejects Iran’s proposed toll system .
Q3: How much enriched uranium does Iran have?
A: Iran has approximately 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity — just one technical step below the 90 percent weapons-grade threshold. This amount, if further enriched, is sufficient for more than 10 nuclear warheads .
Q4: Is the United States considering military action against Iran?
A: Yes. President Trump is reportedly “seriously considering” launching fresh strikes against Iran if last-minute negotiations fail to produce a peace deal. He convened his national security team on Friday to discuss options .
Q5: What role is Pakistan playing in the negotiations?
A: Pakistan is the primary mediator between the United States and Iran. Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, has made multiple trips to Tehran, and Qatar has also joined the mediation effort .
Q6: How has Israel reacted to the stalled talks?
A: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly had a tense phone call with Trump and is “highly skeptical about the negotiations.” He is said to want to resume military action to further degrade Iran’s capabilities .
This is a developing story. Reflecto News will continue to provide updates on US-Iran negotiations, the mediation efforts by Pakistan, and the status of the ceasefire.