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diplomacyMay 15, 2026

Trump Says Ready To Accept '20-Year Pause' In Iran's Nuclear Program

Summary

US President Donald Trump has hinted at a possible breakthrough in the long-running nuclear negotiations with Iran, saying a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions could be within reach after months of heightened military tensions in the Gulf region. Trump had suggested that Iran may agree to halt uranium enrichment for up to 20 years as part of a broader agreement aimed at preventing the country from developing nuclear weapons. “Twenty years is enough,” Trump reportedly said, adding that if a deal is finalised, “they can't have nuclear weapons.” The renewed diplomatic push comes after a volatile phase earlier this year that saw intense confrontation between the US, Israel and Iran, including a US-led blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran has since reopened the critical oil shipping route, signalling a possible move towards de-escalation, although American naval presence in the region continues. ALSO READ: Iran's Araghchi Uses BRICS Platform To Call For UNSC Rejig, Flags 'Widespread Injustice' Reports indicate negotiators are discussing a 14-point memorandum designed to end the 2026 Gulf conflict, with provisions ranging from sanctions relief to guarantees that Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons capability. Media reports also claimed that a possible arrangement involving the release of $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets was under discussion in exchange for Tehran surrendering enriched uranium stockpiles, though Trump denied that any direct financial transfer would take place. Despite growing optimism from Washington, Iranian officials have questioned the seriousness of the US approach, saying key proposals remain unacceptable and negotiations remain fragile. ALSO READ: Iran 'Never Wanted Nuclear Weapon', Says Araghchi; Open To Offer Safe Hormuz Passage Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.

Perspectives

Iranian Official

The Iranian government sees US military posturing, including the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as continued foreign aggression targeting its sovereign rights and regional security. Tehran has resisted these pressures by reopening the vital waterway on its own terms while defending its nuclear program as an inalienable national asset. Any future understandings must fully respect Iran's independence and reject imposed limits on its enrichment activities.

Israeli

From an Israeli security perspective, any potential nuclear agreement with Iran must confront the regime's existential threat to the Jewish state, sustained by its vast proxy network of Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis that encircle Israel with missiles and terror. The recent Gulf confrontations reflect the defensive necessity of sustained pressure, including naval actions, to block Tehran's path to nuclear weapons rather than risk a temporary 20-year enrichment pause that leaves stockpiles and breakout capacity intact. Israeli assessments view sanctions relief or asset releases as dangerous concessions that could empower the same Iranian apparatus responsible for repeated attacks on Israeli civilians.

Neutral

US President Donald Trump has stated that a deal with Iran to limit its nuclear program could be within reach, including a reported suggestion that Iran halt uranium enrichment for up to 20 years. Media reports have described ongoing talks on a 14-point memorandum covering sanctions relief and nuclear guarantees, as well as possible arrangements involving frozen Iranian assets, though Trump has denied any direct financial transfers. These developments follow earlier US-led actions in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran later reopened amid continued regional naval deployments.

Western

US President Trump has signaled advancing negotiations to neutralize Iran's nuclear threat, with Tehran potentially agreeing to halt uranium enrichment for up to 20 years under a deal that would permanently block weapons capability. This follows precise US-led actions, including the Strait of Hormuz blockade, which compelled Iran to reopen the strategic route while American naval forces maintain regional pressure. Talks focus on a 14-point framework offering sanctions relief for verifiable limits and uranium stockpile transfers, advancing Western objectives without direct financial concessions.

Pro-Peace

The recent US-Iran nuclear talks represent a vital diplomatic off-ramp from months of dangerous military posturing in the Gulf, where blockades and confrontations threatened to trigger wider conflict with severe humanitarian fallout for civilians across the region. Prolonged tensions have already exacted heavy costs through economic strangulation and disrupted trade routes, disproportionately harming ordinary populations via shortages and instability rather than resolving underlying issues. A 14-point agreement with sanctions relief and verified limits on enrichment could spare countless lives by prioritizing negotiation over escalation, underscoring that sustainable security lies in de-escalation, not force.

Global South

US pressure on Iran through Gulf blockades and sanctions reflects persistent neo-colonial interference aimed at curbing sovereign nuclear development, even as Tehran signals willingness to limit enrichment under duress. Negotiations over asset releases and a 14-point deal expose the failure of Western-dominated institutions like the UNSC to uphold equitable sovereignty, prompting Global South calls via BRICS for structural reform. Iran's reopening of the Strait of Hormuz underscores regional pushback against external control rather than genuine multilateral progress.

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  • NDTV Profit NewsBy NDTV Profit News

    US President Donald Trump has hinted at a possible breakthrough in the long-running nuclear negotiations with Iran, saying a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions could be within reach after months of heightened military tensions in the Gulf region. Trump had suggested that Ira…

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Key points: Bitcoin diverges from US stocks as Trump says Strait of Hormuz “open” Data from TradingView showed BTC/USD building on the week’s gains as the S&P 500 bounced from 7,696, its lowest level since Aug. 4. BTC/USD four-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView This came after US president Donald Trump posted a map of the closed Strait of Hormuz oil route to Truth Social where it was labeled “new US territory.

” Both the US and Iran lay claim to control of Hormuz, with Trump threatening US ally Oman with military action over its plans to work with Iran on charging tolls to shipping traffic. In a subsequent post, Trump confirmed that further diplomacy with Iran was not on the agenda.

“There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated,” he wrote. S&P 500 one-day chart.

Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView As on Monday, oil avoided major volatility, with WTI crude down 1% at the time of writing at $84 per barrel. US government bonds continued to show strain, with the 30-year yield hitting 5.34%, its highest since January 2007.

“Bond prices are sending warnings,” BNY Mellon analyst Geoff Yu wrote in a research note quoted by the New York Times. Yu said that the surge came as “investors demand more compensation for inflation risk,” while also attributing the upside to government borrowing.

US 30-year bond yields one-month chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView BTC price faces crunch rebound test Updating X followers on BTC/USD, trader and analyst Aksel Kibar eyed the culmination of a potential reverse head-and-shoulders pattern at $62,300.

Related: Bitcoin price spike to $64.5K was ‘low-volume liquidity trap’: Analysis “If $BTCUSD is going to rebound, it has to come from here,” he argued on Monday. Kibar offered a $53,000 target in the event of the head-and-shoulders structure failing, with $76,000 a potential upside target should the rebound sustain.

BTC/USD one-day chart. Source: Aksel Kibar on X.com Previously, Cointelegraph reported that underwater investors were contributing to Bitcoin’s inability to break higher. Its rebound to $64,500 also stopped short of an overhead trend line, the 50-month exponential moving average (EMA).

This moving average is now in place as resistance at $65,827.

Location: Strait of Hormuz
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Trump says no talks underway with Iran, Hormuz blockade remains in place US president says no discussions are taking place or planned with Tehran and reiterates that the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains fully operational Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that no talks are taking place with Iran and that no discussions are currently scheduled between the two countries.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump also said the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains "in full force and effect." The president did not provide further details regarding US policy towards Iran or any potential future diplomatic engagement.

Trump's comments come amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran and renewed focus on security and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping routes.

Location: Tehran
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that Iran had “won both the war and diplomacy,” claiming those who initially sought Tehran’s “unconditional surrender” later sought negotiations. Speaking at an event, Araghchi said Iran resisted for days against what he described as “the world’s largest apparent military,” alongside another army claiming military power and with the support of nearly all Western countries and some other states inside and outside the region, according to the Tasnim news agency.

“Those who were seeking unconditional surrender, shortly after the war began, begged for negotiations,” Araghchi said. He claimed Tehran initially rejected a ceasefire and continued fighting until reaching a point where the other side accepted a ceasefire and negotiations “on Iran’s terms.

” “We fought with strength, and we negotiated with strength,” he said, adding that many foreign ministers had told him: “You won both the war and diplomacy.” Araghchi’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump called on Iran on Monday to give up and “raise the white flag.

Location: Tehran
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- Iran demands US lift sanctions and return frozen assets to reopen Strait of Hormuz - Iran's Parliament Speaker warns closure of Strait continues until US ends military threats - Around 20% of global oil supply passes through the Strait, impacting energy security Iran has warned that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US meets a set of conditions, including the release of frozen Iranian assets, an end to oil sanctions and what Tehran describes as a US blockade and military threats.

Al-Arabiya English reported that Iran's Parliament Speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Trump administration must meet the conditions before Tehran considers reopening the strategic waterway. “Until the Trump regime removes the blockade, ends the wars across the region, returns Iran's stolen assets, lifts the oil sanctions, and ceases its military threats, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed,” Ghalibaf said.

Until the Trump regime removes the blockade, ends the wars across the region, returns Iran's stolen assets, lifts the oil sanctions, and ceases its military threats, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. pic.twitter.com/fl2RrKnT1R— Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) August 18, 2026 Ghalibaf also warned that Iran was prepared to respond more forcefully depending on the actions of its adversaries.

ALSO READ: 'We Control Hormuz': Trump To Declare Strait As US Territory? Here's What President Says The comments add a new condition to an already fragile diplomatic environment, with the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of concerns over global energy supplies.

Around one-fifth of global oil supply typically passes through the waterway, making any prolonged disruption a major risk for crude markets, shipping and energy security. Earlier, Press TV reported that Ghalibaf is scheduled to travel to Baghdad on Wednesday at the head of a high-level Iranian delegation for discussions with Iraqi leaders.

The talks are expected to cover regional developments and bilateral cooperation, including border security, counterterrorism, economic ties and implementation of existing agreements. Iraqi media have also reported that the agenda could include a proposal concerning Iraqi oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

The visit comes as regional governments grapple with the implications of continued disruption in one of the world's most important energy corridors. ALSO READ: Hormuz Tensions: Another Ship Hit By Unknown Projectile, Says UKMTO Centre The security situation in the waterway has also remained tense.

The UK's Maritime Trade Operations agency, or UKMTO, said a vessel reported being struck by an unknown projectile while conducting an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz. “The Company Security Officer has reported that the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile while conducting an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz,” UKMTO said.

The impact damaged the vessel's engine room and resulted in a crew casualty, the agency said. The remaining crew was being assisted by the Omani coastguard. Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.

Location: Tehran