Tehran, Apr 24 (V7N) — Donald Trump has said that negotiations are underway for a new nuclear agreement with Iran, claiming it will be “stronger and more effective” than the 2015 JCPOA deal, from which the US withdrew in 2018.

Renewed diplomatic push

Trump said a temporary ceasefire arrangement has been extended to allow further talks, with the second round of negotiations expected in Islamabad, Pakistan. A key US demand is that Iran must halt all uranium enrichment activities.

Iran’s position

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and focused on civilian energy production. It has consistently rejected claims that it is pursuing nuclear weapons.

What is uranium?

Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive metal used as fuel in nuclear reactors and, at high enrichment levels, in nuclear weapons. Major producers include:

  • Kazakhstan

  • Canada

  • Australia

  • Namibia

  • Uzbekistan

Before use, uranium is processed into forms such as yellowcake and uranium hexafluoride for enrichment.

What is enrichment?

Natural uranium contains:

  • 99.3% U-238 (less reactive)

  • 0.7% U-235 (used for energy and weapons)

Through centrifuge technology, the proportion of U-235 is increased.

Enrichment levels:

  • 3–5% → Nuclear power plants

  • Above 20% → Highly enriched uranium

  • Around 90% → Weapons-grade material

Experts say Iran currently holds uranium enriched up to around 60%, significantly reducing the time needed to reach weapons-grade levels if further enriched.

Global nuclear landscape

Nine countries are estimated to possess nuclear weapons, including:

  • Russia

  • United States

  • China

  • United Kingdom

  • France

  • India

  • Pakistan

  • North Korea

  • Israel

Ongoing tensions

The dispute between Washington and Tehran remains unresolved, with the US combining diplomatic negotiations and military pressure to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons capability. Iran, meanwhile, continues to insist on its right to peaceful nuclear energy development.

END/SMA/AJ