Iran is reportedly considering proposing an interim nuclear deal during its ongoing negotiations with the United States, in an effort to reduce tensions and prevent potential conflict.
According to Axios, Iranian officials believe a full agreement is unlikely within the two-month window set by President Donald Trump. To keep diplomacy alive, Tehran may push for a temporary arrangement that would allow time for deeper discussions.
The proposed interim deal could see Iran:
- Suspending parts of its uranium enrichment program
- Reducing its enriched uranium stockpile to 60%
- Allowing broader access for UN nuclear inspectors
While these steps wouldn’t fully eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities, analysts say they could help restore trust and reopen the path to a lasting agreement.
The talks may also touch on the Snapback clause — a 2015 JCPOA mechanism allowing UN sanctions to be reimposed if Iran breaches terms. That clause is set to expire in October.
However, for any deal to proceed, President Trump may need to pause his “maximum pressure” campaign, which aims to cripple Iran’s economy. It’s unclear whether he would be willing to do so.
Though Trump hinted during his 2024 campaign that he’s open to renegotiating a nuclear deal, tensions remain high following reports of a suspected Iranian plot to assassinate him — a threat the US government took seriously.
Despite signalling a readiness to talk, Trump has reimposed sanctions aimed at slashing Iran’s oil revenue and curbing its nuclear ambitions. In early February, new restrictions targeted an international network accused of funnelling oil money to Iran’s military.
Adding a twist, Bloomberg reported in March that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to assist Trump in his Iran negotiations, complicating an already fragile diplomatic landscape.
The original 2015 Iran nuclear deal — known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — saw Iran scale back its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. But after the US pulled out in 2018, Iran resumed uranium enrichment. Efforts to revive the deal under President Biden collapsed in 2022 after disputes over IAEA inspections.
Now, with Trump back in office and tensions at a boiling point, Iran’s willingness to consider an interim solution may be the last chance to de-escalate and reopen the door to diplomacy.
