From Permanent Ban To 20 Years Suspension? Trump Softens His Iran Nuclear Stand

Last Updated:May 16, 2026, 09:04 IST

Trump signals shift on Iran, saying US could accept a verified 20-year nuclear suspension, after talks with Xi Jinping, as tensions, ceasefire and Strait of Hormuz dispute continue

Days after meeting with China President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump has shown a significant shift in his position on Iran’s nuclear programme, saying Washington could accept a verified 20-year suspension instead of demanding a permanent shutdown of Iran’s nuclear activities.

The remarks mark a departure from Trump’s earlier insistence that Tehran must permanently stop uranium enrichment and never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after his meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Trump suggested the United States could support a temporary but enforceable agreement.

When asked whether a 20-year suspension would be acceptable, Trump replied, “Twenty years is enough, but the level of guarantee from them, in other words, it’s got to be a real 20 years."

Shift from earlier position

Trump’s latest comments come after repeated warnings in recent months that his patience with Iran was “running out" amid stalled negotiations over the conflict and regional security.

During his first term as president, Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama. At the time, he argued that the agreement’s sunset clauses would eventually allow Iran to restart nuclear activities.

Since then, Trump has repeatedly maintained that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and should permanently halt uranium enrichment.

His latest remarks are being seen as the clearest sign yet that the White House may now be open to compromise if strict verification measures are included in any agreement.

Trump and Xi discuss Iran in Bejing

Trump made the comments while returning from his two-day China visit, where he held detailed talks with Xi Jinping on several geopolitical issues, including Iran.

According to Trump, both leaders agreed that Tehran should never acquire nuclear weapons and that the Strait of Hormuz should be reopened to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies.

“We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon, we want the straits open," Trump said during discussions in Beijing.

China did not publicly confirm the full details of the talks but stated that it opposed further escalation in the Gulf and wanted the conflict to end.

Iran war and negotiations 

Trump’s remarks come even as tensions involving Iran remain unresolved despite a ceasefire that has largely held since last month.

On February 28, US and Israeli forces launched large-scale strikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear-linked sites. A ceasefire later brokered by Pakistan reduced direct hostilities, though occasional exchanges of fire have continued.

Pakistan has also hosted direct negotiations between both sides. Reports said US Vice President JD Vance demanded at least a 20-year halt to Iran’s nuclear activities after Tehran proposed a five-year suspension.

Iran has linked any wider settlement to several conditions beyond the nuclear issue. Iranian media reported that Tehran demanded an end to attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, removal of the US naval blockade and guarantees against future strikes.

Iran has also refused to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the blockade is lifted, contributing to disruptions in global shipping and rising oil prices.

Iran’s stand

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had received indications that Washington still wanted diplomacy to continue.

“We hope that, with the advancement of negotiations, we will reach a good conclusion so that the Strait of Hormuz can be completely secured, and we can expedite the normalisation of traffic through the strait," he said during a visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ summit.

Despite Trump’s softer tone, major differences remain over uranium stockpiles, sanctions relief and security guarantees, leaving the future of negotiations uncertain.

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