U.S. Pushes 20‑Year Freeze on Iran’s Uranium Enrichment – Mediation Stalls

Washington has asked Tehran to accept a 20‑year freeze on uranium enrichment during weekend talks in Islamabad, a U.S. official said.

U.S. demand to freeze uranium enrichment sparks deadlock

The Iranians countered with a “single‑digit” timeframe, widening the gap over whether they will relinquish existing stockpiles. Negotiators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey are scrambling to bridge the divide before the cease‑fire expires on April 21.

“There is continued engagement and forward motion,” a U.S. spokesperson told reporters.

Beyond the moratorium, Washington pressed for the removal of all highly enriched uranium. Tehran offered a monitored down‑blending process instead. Reuters reported that the Iranian delegation felt a breakthrough was near on Sunday, only to be jolted by Vice President Kamala Harris’s press conference, which hinted at a stalled deal.

Iranian MP Seyyed Mahmoud Nabavian blamed the two U.S. nuclear demands for the impasse, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the core issue remains “removing all enriched material and preventing future enrichment for decades.” AP News noted that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed mediators’ resolve to keep the cease‑fire alive, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan suggested a possible 45‑60 day extension.

Reported by Zara Blackwood (Rapid Response Intelligence Analyst).