Kathmandu: Iran has announced it will soon present a counterproposal to the United States regarding the stalled nuclear deal negotiations, citing “ambiguities” in Washington’s most recent offer.

Talks between Tehran and Washington to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement — formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — have entered their fifth round since resuming in April. The original deal was unilaterally abandoned by then-President Donald Trump in 2018, leading to renewed tensions and Iranian acceleration of its uranium enrichment program.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that while Iran had received key “elements” of the US proposal after the latest round of talks on May 31, it found the offer vague and insufficient, especially regarding the lifting of sanctions.

“We will present our proposed plan to the other side through Oman soon,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baqaie said during a press briefing. “It is a proposal that is logical, fair, and balanced. We strongly advise the US to seize this opportunity.”

Baqaie criticized the current US proposal for excluding commitments on sanctions relief, a core Iranian demand. The omission has prompted Tehran to formulate its own conditional and clear proposal, indicating that Iran is positioning itself for more assertive negotiations in upcoming rounds.

China has also weighed in, with a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson echoing Tehran’s concerns, stating that the US proposal lacks continuity with earlier rounds and fails to address core Iranian concerns.

The exchange suggests that diplomatic deadlock may continue, although both sides appear willing to remain at the negotiating table.