The renewed diplomatic push to end the United States-Israel war on Iran is facing headwinds as Tehran’s nuclear programme, which the two countries invoked to launch the war in February, has once again emerged as one of the biggest stumbling blocks in reaching a ceasefire. Nearly eight months into the war, which has caused a global energy crisis, a deal to ensure a permanent ceasefire remains elusive. Moreover, the war has since spilled into a regional conflict, with Yemen emerging as its latest theatre.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz – a global oil chokepoint – was the focus of the June Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the US and Iran. The MoU had also stated that Iran “shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons”, but a comprehensive deal, including the nuclear issue, could not be thrashed out within the stipulated 60-day period. Analysts said that differing interpretations of the agreement clauses caused the MoU to fall apart.
Now the nuclear issue has once again emerged as the central point of contention, with Tehran insisting that uranium enrichment is a right guaranteed under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). US President Donald Trump, on the other hand, has called for “zero uranium enrichment”. His ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday reiterated his pledge to topple the Iranian government, which he said is key to preventing it from developing nuclear weapons.
Earlier this week, US Vice President JD Vance appeared to offer concessions on the nuclear doctrine to reach a deal. While Qatar and Pakistan are engaged in mediation efforts, how will they get the sides to agree on the nuclear enrichment issue? Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir, who is also a key negotiator in the conflict, is currently in Tehran, where he met Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei on Tuesday.
In the meeting, Rezaei said “even a particle of enriched uranium will not exit Iran at all,” according to comments carried by Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, describing the material as a major national asset that would remain in the country for domestic use. His response came amid media reports that the US wants Iran to transfer part of its enriched uranium out of the country. Trump has previously called for the removal of the enriched uranium stockpile from Iran.
Rezaei also said negotiations with the US would not begin until Washington fulfils trust-building measures, including meeting the latest conditions Iran has set. Iran wants the US to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waive sanctions, and release frozen Iranian assets as part of its latest terms to end the war. In return, Iran has promised to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
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