Iran Rejects Nuclear Concessions as Hormuz Becomes Central Bargaining Chip in U.S. Talks
Iran will not make concessions over its nuclear program even if Washington accepts Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on September 25.
The official said the strategic waterway would remain closed until the United States meets all of Iran’s conditions, putting Hormuz at the center of negotiations aimed at ending the war.
What Iran wants in exchange for reopening Hormuz
Iran has proposed reopening the strait as part of a broader package that would include an end to hostilities on all fronts within seven days, the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports, the release of frozen Iranian funds and waivers from U.S. oil sanctions.
The Iranian official said the waterway would remain closed until all of Tehran’s conditions are met.
Iran says uranium enrichment is not negotiable
The official also said Iran would not surrender what it considers its nuclear rights, including uranium enrichment.
Tehran also opposes shipping its highly enriched uranium stockpile abroad, one of Washington’s central demands.
Iranian authorities have previously indicated that they could consider diluting some of their most highly enriched uranium.
Why the uranium stockpile matters
The International Atomic Energy Agency estimated that Iran held 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% when Israeli and U.S. strikes hit Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025.
It remains unclear how much of the material survived.
Western governments say enrichment at 60% is far above levels normally required for civilian purposes and significantly closer to weapons-grade levels. Iran says it does not seek nuclear weapons.
Hormuz becomes a bargaining chip
The Strait of Hormuz has become one of the most important issues in efforts to end the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Washington wants unrestricted international shipping restored through a route that carried roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the war.
Tehran wants economic relief and an end to the U.S. blockade of its ports.
Pezeshkian hopes for a deal before November
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he hoped an agreement with Washington to end hostilities could be reached before the U.S. midterm elections on November 3.
The statement leaves open a diplomatic path even as Tehran maintains a hard line on enrichment and its highly enriched uranium stockpile.
The two sides remain far apart
Iranian and U.S. officials resumed indirect contacts in New York this week, their first known talks since a ceasefire collapsed in July.
A senior Iranian official said earlier that major differences remain but diplomacy is continuing.
What to watch next
- Hormuz: Whether Washington accepts part of Iran’s conditions.
- Naval blockade: Any easing of restrictions on Iranian ports.
- Oil sanctions: Potential temporary waivers.
- Uranium: Whether Tehran offers dilution without shipping material abroad.
- Timing: Whether negotiations accelerate before November 3.
The bottom line
U.S.-Iran negotiations are becoming more clearly defined but not necessarily easier.
Iran is linking the reopening of Hormuz to broad economic and security demands while refusing major concessions on enrichment and its highly enriched uranium.
That leaves Hormuz, sanctions and the nuclear program at the center of a highly complex potential deal.
Profile News continues to track developments through its 24-hour breaking news page.
Sources
- Reuters — Iran will make no nuclear concessions
- Reuters — Iran and U.S. remain far apart in peace talks
