Geneva: The U.S.-Iran nuclear talks have reportedly made "substantial progress" toward reaching a deal, with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, a key mediator, stating that an agreement "is within our reach."
According to Namibia Press Agency, Albusaidi shared with CBS News that Iran has committed to "never, ever have ... nuclear material that will create a bomb," which he described as a "big achievement." He further explained that Iran's existing stockpiles of enriched uranium are to be "blended to the lowest level possible" and "converted into fuel," a process that would be irreversible.
Albusaidi also noted Iran's willingness to provide inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency with "full access" to its nuclear sites to ensure compliance with the deal's terms. He emphasized that the agreement would entail "zero accumulation, zero stockpiling, and full verification," and remarked that a "peace deal is within our reach."
He mentioned that "a little bit more time" is necessary to finalize some aspects, suggesting that while a deal could soon be concluded, it might take up to three months to implement any agreed terms. Further technical discussions are scheduled for Monday in Vienna, and Albusaidi expressed hope for another meeting with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the negotiations, stating that Iranians "are not willing to give us what we have to have," particularly demanding that Iran cease all uranium enrichment. Trump reiterated his stance, declaring, "I say, no enrichment," while addressing an event in Texas. Despite Iran's long-standing refusal to abandon its uranium enrichment program, Trump indicated that discussions would continue, although he has yet to decide on possible military actions against Iran.
The ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran remain heightened, exacerbated by a significant U.S. military presence in the Middle East and the stalled nuclear negotiations.