Iran has ruled out making concessions on its nuclear programme even if the United States accepts Tehran’s conditions for reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, adding another obstacle to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
A senior Iranian official, speaking anonymously, said Tehran would not compromise on what it considers its nuclear rights, including uranium enrichment and the handling of highly enriched uranium. The official said the position would remain unchanged even if Washington accepted Iran’s proposal concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has proposed reopening the waterway within seven days if the United States meets a series of conditions. These include lifting a naval blockade on Iranian ports, releasing frozen Iranian funds, waiving oil sanctions and ending hostilities on other fronts, including Lebanon.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a central point in the diplomatic standoff because it is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. Iran’s continued restrictions on the waterway have sharply reduced maritime traffic and disrupted oil flows, adding pressure to an already strained global economy.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said at the United Nations that if Washington showed seriousness about reaching an agreement, the proposed arrangement was ready to be implemented. Under Tehran’s proposal, wider negotiations could begin after the initial conditions were fulfilled.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has also said Tehran remains open to negotiations over its nuclear programme and other issues, but has rejected what he described as pressure or coercion. He said Iran was not seeking war while maintaining that the country would defend itself against attacks and threats.
The nuclear dispute remains one of the most difficult issues between Tehran and Washington. The United States and several Western countries have accused Iran of pursuing the capability to develop nuclear weapons, pointing in particular to its enrichment of uranium to 60 percent. Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons and maintains that its nuclear activities have peaceful purposes.
The International Atomic Energy Agency previously estimated that Iran had 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent when Israel and the United States attacked Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. The amount that may have survived those attacks remains unclear.
Iranian officials have indicated that Tehran could potentially dilute some of its highly enriched uranium, but the senior official quoted in the latest report said Iran would not agree to demands requiring it to surrender its nuclear rights or ship highly enriched uranium out of the country.
The latest position comes as diplomatic efforts continue against the backdrop of a conflict that has lasted seven months. Iran and the United States remain divided over the conditions for ending hostilities, while regional actors have also become involved in the negotiations.
The situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz has added another layer to the talks. Washington wants the waterway reopened to international shipping, while Tehran has linked its reopening to the removal of military and economic pressure.
The diplomatic process also faces uncertainty after reports that US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s proposal to reopen the strait and halt fighting. Iranian officials have said they were still awaiting a formal response through mediators.
For now, the two sides remain separated by fundamental disagreements over sanctions, military pressure, the Strait of Hormuz and the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.
The latest Iranian position makes clear that reopening the key shipping route and negotiating an end to the conflict would not automatically resolve the nuclear dispute, leaving one of the most difficult issues in the US-Iran confrontation still on the table.
