Iran Rejects US Proposal for Nuclear Deal: ‘Does Not Serve Our Interests’

Negotiations between Iran and the US over Tehran’s long-standing nuclear program are heading towards a deadlock, according to a high-ranking Iranian diplomat on June 2, 2025. Iran has rejected a US proposal aimed at reaching a new nuclear agreement, stating that it lacks viability and does not serve Iran’s interests. Meanwhile, Washington’s stance on uranium enrichment remains unchanged. The US presented its proposal for a new nuclear deal to Iran via Oman’s Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, who visited Tehran on May 31, 2025, acting as a mediator in talks between Tehran and Washington. However, after several rounds of discussions involving Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Stephen Witkoff, many issues remain unresolved. Key disagreements include Iran’s refusal to commit to ending uranium enrichment, which is seen as a potential pathway to developing nuclear weapons. Iran insists on advancing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and denies Western accusations of seeking nuclear arms. Tehran demands the immediate lifting of all US sanctions strangling its oil-dependent economy, whereas the US insists on a phased approach to sanctions relief. Since 2018, dozens of critical Iranian institutions, including the central bank and national oil company, have faced sanctions due to allegations of supporting terrorism or nuclear proliferation. Trump’s return to the White House in January has intensified the ‘maximum pressure’ campaign with stricter sanctions and threats of bombing if current negotiations fail. During his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and reinstated sanctions, prompting Iran to violate the agreement’s restrictions. The 2015 deal required Iran to limit its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief from the US, EU, and UN. Iranian diplomats argue that the US proposal is entirely one-sided and cannot serve Tehran’s interests, labeling it an attempt to impose a bad deal through excessive demands.