Iran says U.S. demands are stalling nuclear talks

Iran said on Thursday that what it described as “maximalist” demands from the United States are preventing direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran, according to an Iranian official. The comments came as diplomatic efforts continue to restore the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The official said indirect discussions have moved forward in Vienna, but argued that the U.S. position on certain issues remains a key barrier to shifting from indirect contacts to face-to-face meetings. The official did not detail which U.S. demands were considered “maximalist,” but indicated they are understood to be tied to the scope and conditions of a possible return to the JCPOA.

The JCPOA was designed to place limits on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The agreement has been under strain since the United States withdrew in 2018, leaving the deal’s future uncertain and prompting renewed diplomatic efforts to bring both sides back into compliance.

According to the account provided, the current push to revive the JCPOA involves difficult bargaining over two central tracks: the removal of sanctions and Iran’s nuclear commitments. The source material describes both sides as seeking assurances and concessions as part of any renewed arrangement, underscoring why the talks have been complex even where some progress has been reported in the indirect Vienna process.

For global markets and international politics, the status of the JCPOA remains closely watched because it is directly linked to sanctions policy and the broader diplomatic relationship between the United States and Iran. The Iranian official’s remarks highlight that, despite movement in indirect channels, the transition to direct talks is not assured and depends on whether the parties can narrow differences over the terms of a return to the 2015 framework.

Key uncertainties remain based on the information provided. The official did not specify the content of the U.S. demands at issue, and the source material does not indicate whether Washington has responded to the characterization. It also remains unclear which specific issues are blocking direct meetings, even as indirect talks in Vienna are described as having produced some progress.