US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington could accept a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear programme, marking a notable shift from his earlier insistence on a permanent end to Tehran’s uranium enrichment activities.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Trump said a “real 20 years” without nuclear development by Iran would be sufficient. His remarks suggest growing flexibility in ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending months of regional conflict and preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Previously, Trump had repeatedly demanded that Iran permanently stop enriching uranium and abandon any pathway to nuclear weapons development. However, his latest comments indicate that the United States may now consider a long-term suspension agreement instead of a permanent ban.
Despite the apparent softening of Washington’s position, Trump warned that his patience with Tehran was “running out,” as negotiations have yet to produce a major breakthrough.
The conflict escalated after Israeli and US forces launched extensive air strikes on Iran on 28 February. Although a ceasefire brokered last month has largely held, sporadic exchanges of fire continue in parts of the region. Pakistan has reportedly been mediating between the two sides in an effort to sustain negotiations.
Iranian media reports suggest Tehran’s latest proposal includes an immediate halt to hostilities across all fronts, an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and guarantees against future attacks. The proposal also appears linked to Israeli military operations against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Trump also stressed that Iran must reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has partially blocked during the crisis. The disruption has contributed to rising global oil prices and renewed fears over international energy security.
According to US media reports, American officials had earlier rejected an Iranian proposal for a five-year suspension of uranium enrichment during talks in Islamabad. Vice-President JD Vance reportedly insisted on a minimum 20-year arrangement.
The comments have also drawn attention because Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement during his first presidential term. At the time, he strongly criticised the deal’s “sunset clauses,” which allowed some restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities to expire over time.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet responded publicly to Trump’s latest remarks. Netanyahu has consistently argued that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile must be fully dismantled before any lasting peace agreement can be achieved.
