US President Donald Trump has made it clear that he would agree to Iran suspending its nuclear programme for 20 years.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One shortly after leaving Beijing, Trump said, “20 years is enough, but … It has to be a real 20 years.”
Tehran’s reluctance to agree to suspend-or completely halt-its uranium enrichment programme remains a major stumbling block in relations between Iran and the United States.
For much of the past year, the Trump administration has demanded that Iran permanently abandon uranium enrichment on its soil. Iran has responded by offering temporary suspensions, notably a five-year freeze during recent talks.
In April, during peace talks in Pakistan, the U.S. seemed to soften its stance, suggesting Iran agree to halt enrichment for 20 years.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump’s May 15 comments are his clearest signal to date that he may agree to a time-limited suspension of Iran’s nuclear programme.