Mediators said to keep pushing US-Iran deal, Tehran surprised by American exit from talks

Mediators from Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey are working to bridge gaps between the United States and Iran in an effort to reach a deal to end the conflict or extend the current ceasefire, Channel 12 reports, citing American and mediation sources.

A senior US official tells the news outlet that contacts between Washington and Tehran are still ongoing and that some progress has been made in recent talks.

According to the report, the US softened its position during negotiations, proposing that Iran freeze uranium enrichment for 20 years instead of halting it completely. Iran, in turn, agreed in principle to a freeze, but only for a shorter number of years – reportedly less than 10.

The US is also said to have demanded that Iran export its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, but Tehran rejected the proposal, instead agreeing to dilute the material inside Iran under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Despite the lack of a final agreement, Iranian officials reportedly believed the sides were nearing a deal and were caught off guard when US Vice President JD Vance announced the talks were being abandoned.

Meanwhile, the report also notes that Turkey is pushing to extend the current two-week ceasefire by an additional 45 to 60 days to allow more time to reach an agreement, with officials stressing that compromise will be required from both sides on key issues.