Iran submitted an updated proposal in ongoing nuclear negotiations, but the White House said the offer remains insufficient to meet American requirements for a comprehensive agreement. Talks have continued amid military tensions that saw President Donald Trump postpone a planned major strike on Iran to allow additional diplomatic space.
Iranian negotiators have maintained core demands including the removal of a naval blockade and the release of frozen Iranian assets held abroad under sanctions. Tehran argues that any durable agreement must address economic restrictions that have constrained its economy and limited access to international banking systems.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the United States has shown greater flexibility on some terms, including a possible partial release of frozen funds. However, significant gaps remain over enrichment limits, verification mechanisms and the sequencing of sanctions relief.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has expressed deep distrust of U.S. intentions, citing previous instances where negotiations collapsed or agreements were abandoned. Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Iran approaches the process with serious skepticism to safeguard national interests.
Western diplomats said the updated proposal could serve as a basis for further bargaining but warned that time is limited. Gulf states have urged restraint on all sides while seeking to prevent disruptions to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The next phase of talks will test whether incremental concessions can bridge differences that have persisted for years.
European intermediaries have maintained communication channels between Washington and Tehran even as military preparations continued on both sides. Verification mechanisms for any nuclear agreement remain a sticking point, with American negotiators demanding intrusive inspection access that Iranian officials consider excessive. Sanctions relief sequencing is another unresolved issue, as Iran seeks upfront economic benefits while the United States prefers phased concessions tied to compliance milestones. Intelligence assessments shared with allies indicate that neither side has yet accepted terms sufficient for a signed comprehensive deal. Gulf mediators have offered venues for indirect talks while urging both Washington and Tehran to avoid unilateral actions that could collapse negotiations. Technical experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency remain available to advise on verification frameworks should negotiators reach preliminary agreement.
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