President Masoud Pezeshkian stated today in an interview published by Iran's IRNA news agency, "We are not seeking instability in the region. The party seeking to cause instability is Israel." He emphasized that Iran's negotiating team "will not compromise" on the nation's "honor and dignity."

Iran currently possesses a stockpile of over 400 kg of highly enriched uranium, believed to be near the threshold required for nuclear weapons. Israeli officials claim this amount is sufficient for Iran to produce 11 nuclear bombs with further enrichment.

President Masoud Pezeshkian at a cabinet meeting in Tehran on 25/2. Photo: Reuters

According to a senior Israeli official cited by Times of Israel, US President Donald Trump reassured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today that any final agreement would completely dismantle Iran's nuclear program. The official stated, "Mr. Trump made it clear he would maintain a firm stance in negotiations, focusing on the demand to dismantle Iran's nuclear program and remove all enriched uranium from the country. He will not sign a final agreement if these conditions are not met."

Tehran has repeatedly asserted that its nuclear program serves only peaceful purposes and does not aim to develop nuclear weapons. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) believes Iran's uranium enrichment level has exceeded the limits for civilian applications.

On 23/5, President Trump announced that a deal with Iran was "basically done and awaiting final steps."

Location of the Hormuz Strait. Graphic: Guardian

Iranian officials indicated that disagreements persist among the parties, emphasizing that Tehran's nuclear program would not be part of the first phase of negotiations. Iran is reportedly finalizing a 14-point agreement framework.

Multiple sources obtained by Times of Israel suggest that the initial agreement would focus on extending the current ceasefire by 60 days and restoring maritime trade through the Hormuz Strait.

The core issue of Iran's nuclear activities would be deferred, and Tehran would not be compelled to transfer its high-grade enriched uranium stockpile abroad. The plan reportedly includes a ceasefire in the current conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon, without requiring the group's disarmament.

By Thanh Tam (Times of Israel, Al Jazeera)