Trump Signals Iran Nuclear Talks Could Resume This Week as Enrichment Dispute Stalls Progress

President Donald Trump indicated on Monday that negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program could resume as early as this week, even as a significant gap between the two sides over uranium enrichment threatens to derail the diplomatic effort.

The talks have centered on a key sticking point: how long Iran should be prohibited from enriching uranium. The lead U.S. negotiator, Vice President JD Vance, has pushed for a moratorium of at least 20 years, a demand that Washington views as essential to any lasting agreement.

Iran, however, has offered a far shorter timeline, proposing a suspension of enrichment activities lasting up to five years. The wide disparity between the two positions has raised doubts about whether a deal can be reached in the near term.

Trump, speaking to reporters, said he remained opposed to any compromise that would allow Iran to continue enrichment activities, a position that puts the United States at odds with Tehran's insistence on maintaining some level of its nuclear program as a matter of national sovereignty.

The renewed diplomatic push comes amid mounting pressure from both sides. Washington has warned that all options remain on the table if talks fail, while Iranian officials have signaled they are unwilling to make sweeping concessions without guarantees of economic relief from longstanding U.S. sanctions.

Analysts say the gap on enrichment duration reflects deeper disagreements about the ultimate goal of the negotiations. The U.S. seeks a permanent end to Iran's pathway to a nuclear weapon, while Tehran wants a time-limited agreement that preserves its long-term right to a civilian nuclear program.

Despite the obstacles, the prospect of resumed talks this week offers a measure of cautious optimism. Both governments have expressed a preference for a diplomatic resolution, and back-channel communications are said to be ongoing even between formal negotiating sessions.