According to a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in the Middle East, a senior Iranian source said on May 22 that Tehran and Washington have yet to reach an agreement to end the current tensions, although the gap in negotiations has narrowed significantly. Two major issues remain at a standstill: Iran's uranium enrichment program and Tehran's control over the Strait of Hormuz.
This information emerges as the US and Iran continue diplomatic efforts, mediated through Pakistan, to avert a new round of conflict in the Middle East. President Donald Trump recently stated that the US is willing to wait a few more days for Iran's response before making a further decision.
The issue of uranium enrichment is currently seen as the biggest obstacle in negotiations. Iran continues to assert its right to develop a peaceful nuclear program under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), while rejecting the demand to remove all enriched uranium from Iranian territory. Meanwhile, the US and Israel consider the disposal of highly enriched uranium stockpiles a key condition for any agreement.
Furthermore, the Strait of Hormuz continues to be a strategic flashpoint. Tehran currently maintains strict control over this shipping lane and considers it a "strategic asset" in negotiations. The US strongly opposes the possibility of Iran imposing fees or controlling international shipping through Hormuz, arguing that this violates the principle of freedom of navigation.
Analysts believe that although the two sides have narrowed some differences regarding the ceasefire mechanism and negotiating framework, core disagreements concerning sovereignty , nuclear weapons, and regional security still make the prospect of reaching a comprehensive agreement in the short term difficult.
Amidst stalled negotiations, on May 21, President Trump warned that Washington could destroy all of Iran's enriched uranium if current talks lead to Tehran agreeing to hand over the nuclear material.
According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Washington, speaking to the press, President Trump stated that the US does not need the enriched uranium, but will seize and destroy it to prevent Iran from acquiring these materials. However, Trump did not detail the method of handling or destroying the uranium if an agreement is reached with Iran.
He emphasized that U.S. control over Iran's enriched uranium stockpile would be part of any potential peace agreement with Iran to ensure that Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons.
According to US sources, Iran currently possesses approximately 435 kg of enriched uranium, nearing the level suitable for use in nuclear weapons. Tehran has so far denied the possibility of giving up this stockpile.
Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance said that Iran had not even expressed interest in the proposal for Russia to accept its enriched uranium as part of a diplomatic solution.
The Trump administration has repeatedly affirmed that it will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons, while maintaining economic and military pressure on Tehran and leaving open the possibility of reaching a new nuclear agreement.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/dam-phan-my-iran-thu-hep-khac-biet-nhung-chua-dat-thoa-thuan-post1111892.vnp
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