Breakthrough in Negotiations with Iran: Tehran Declares It Will Stop Stockpiling Uranium

Diplomatic efforts to curb Iran's nuclear program have reached a critical point, characterized by extremely divergent messages from the parties involved in the process. The Foreign Minister of Oman, serving as a key mediator, announced that Tehran has agreed to an unprecedented concession: a complete halt to the stockpiling of enriched uranium. This declaration, if confirmed and implemented, would mean the dismantling of physical stockpiles of material that could be used to build an atomic bomb. Authorities in Muscat describe this situation as a "historic achievement" and claim that peace is now "within reach." According to Omani sources, Iran would never possess materials capable of powering warheads, which would constitute a fundamental change in the region's security architecture. A completely different tone, however, is coming from Washington, where President Donald Trump has publicly distanced himself from the mediators' enthusiasm. The American leader stated he is not satisfied with Iran's stance, accusing Tehran of stalling and lacking a real will to reach an agreement. Trump emphasized that "we have been playing with them for 47 years," a clear reference to the duration of the crisis in relations between the two countries since the Islamic Revolution. The White House maintains that Iran must not enrich uranium at all, not just stop storing it. The president's remarks suggest that US patience is wearing thin and the threat of military force is being treated as a real and current alternative to diplomacy. Simultaneously, the US administration is leveling serious accusations of the Iranian regime employing "hostage diplomacy." Since 1979, when the Shah was overthrown and a theocratic republic was proclaimed following the Islamic Revolution, Iran and the USA have remained in a state of permanent hostile tension, with the nuclear issue being the main potential flashpoint for a global conflict for the past 20 years.The energy market reacted immediately to these tensions. Analyses by Barclays indicate that a continuation of the deadlock or a military escalation could drive the price of Brent crude oil to $80 per barrel. The situation is further complicated by accusations of unlawful detentions of Western citizens, which the US officially classifies as part of Iran's political strategy. While mediators from Oman try to convince the world of a negotiating success, Trump's tough rhetoric and Tehran's intransigence on key technological issues keep the region in a state of high combat readiness. „I am not happy with the way Iran is negotiating. We have been playing with them for 47 years.” — Donald Trump