Trump says he’s OK with Iran suspending nuke enrichment for 20 years if there’s ‘real’ guarantee

Donald Trump said he would accept a 20-year suspension of Iran’s uranium enrichment program if Tehran provided a 'real' guarantee, reversing his earlier stance demanding a permanent end to enrichment. The comment came during a press conference on Air Force One as he departed China after a summit with President Xi Jinping. Trump emphasized that the guarantee must be credible, stating that Iran’s proposal—claiming it could not remove its stockpile of 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium—was unacceptable. Previously, Trump had insisted Iran permanently halt all enrichment, declaring in June 2025 that 'WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM.' His negotiator, Steve Witkoff, had also stated Iran must abandon enrichment entirely to prevent weaponization. However, Trump now appears to support a temporary freeze, despite earlier dismissing a 20-year proposal as insufficient, calling it a 'win' for Iran. Iran’s Foreign Minister responded by stating Tehran has 'no trust' in the U.S., rejecting the proposal outright. The shift in Trump’s position follows reports that U.S. officials had proposed a 20-year halt, while Iran countered with a shorter period and refused to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure. Trump criticized Iran’s claim that it lacks the technology to remove its uranium stockpile, suggesting only China and the U.S. possess the necessary capabilities. The evolving negotiations highlight deep divisions between the two sides. Trump’s latest remarks suggest flexibility, but Iran’s refusal to address its existing nuclear materials and facilities remains a major obstacle. The U.S. insists on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, while Iran has not shown willingness to dismantle its program or fully trust American guarantees.