High-stakes negotiations over Iran's nuclear program are facing significant challenges as the U.S. and Iran publicly dispute the terms of an interim agreement proposed by the Trump administration. This agreement is intended to serve as a precursor to a more comprehensive deal.

During a recent address, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized the proposal, stating it "contradicts our principle of power by 100%" and asserting that Iran would not agree to halt uranium enrichment on its own territory. He emphasized that uranium enrichment is a "key tool in the nuclear program."

Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, reinforced this position in a post on X, declaring, "no enrichment, no deal." This stance starkly contrasts with President Donald Trump's position, which he articulated on his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump stated, "Under our potential Agreement -- WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM!"

While U.S. officials have maintained that Iran must cease enrichment activities as part of any agreement, they clarified that the initial interim proposal would not prohibit Iran from enriching uranium at low levels. This provision is intended to facilitate the establishment of a long-term solution for Iran's civilian nuclear energy program. However, Trump's recent comments appear to contradict the negotiating team's stance, raising questions about the U.S. commitment to the terms of the initial offer.

The possibility of a sixth round of nuclear negotiations between U.S. and Iranian delegations remains uncertain. A U.S. official indicated that discussions for a potential meeting in the coming days are ongoing. Following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump suggested that Moscow could play a more significant role in the negotiations. He wrote, "President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion."

Despite these developments, optimism among U.S. and Iranian officials appears to be waning. An anonymous Iranian official described the U.S. proposed terms as "unreasonable, greedy and unconventional," expressing concerns about the U.S.'s shifting positions. They stated, "The U.S. constantly changes its positions, which has led to a growing accumulation of mistrust regarding its intentions and heightened uncertainty about its will and seriousness to fulfill commitments."

Iran is seeking relief from sanctions that have severely impacted its economy. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei emphasized the need for guarantees regarding the "real end of the sanctions," including specifics on how and through what mechanisms they would be lifted.

Both Khamenei and Araghchi have expressed skepticism about the U.S. proposal. Araghchi noted that the document contains "many ambiguities and questions," indicating that many issues remain unclear. As negotiations continue, the path forward remains fraught with uncertainty.