Iran Nuclear Deal Uncertainty Persists Amid Fears of Rapid Nuclear Capability Development

Published on 4.13.25

  The ongoing tensions between Iran and the international community have reached a critical point as Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium continues to grow, raising concerns about its nuclear capabilities. A key concern is that if Iran follows China's path to developing its first nuclear weapon, it could do so in under three weeks, according to Hui Zhang, a Harvard University scholar. The recent talks between US and Iranian officials in Oman mark a significant step towards a nuclear deal, with Russian diplomat Mikhail Ulyanov describing the meeting as "positive and constructive". However, Iran's demands for a quick easing of US sanctions remain unmet. US President Trump has stated that if diplomacy fails, he will resort to military action, with Israel likely leading the operation. The role of Oman in mediating these talks has been crucial, and if successful, Iranian adviser Ali Shamkhani believes the path forward would be "smooth". However, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's indirect negotiations have yet to yield concrete results.

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