Iran Rejects Latest Nuclear Deal Proposal Over Lack of Sanctions Relief

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that the latest nuclear deal proposal presented by the U.S. lacks any commitment to lifting economic sanctions, suggesting that the ongoing negotiations have stalled.

Speaking on state television, Ghalibaf criticized the plan as “dishonest” and “unilateral,” claiming it fails to address Iran’s core demands. “If the U.S. truly seeks an agreement, it must change its approach,” he said.

Since April, Iran and the United States have held five rounds of indirect talks in Oman. These efforts aim to revive a historic nuclear accord abandoned by former President Donald Trump in 2018. That deal had offered Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.

Key sticking points remain over uranium enrichment levels and economic guarantees. Iran maintains its right to enrich uranium under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while the U.S. continues to oppose any enrichment by Iran under a new deal.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that Iran “will not seek permission from anyone” to continue uranium enrichment. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed Iran is enriching uranium up to 60% — still below weapons-grade but higher than the 2015 deal allowed.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has firmly rejected the current U.S. offer, insisting uranium enrichment is “the key” to Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

The IAEA Board of Governors is scheduled to meet later this month in Vienna to further discuss Iran’s nuclear activities.