Iran Proposes Suspending Nuclear Activities For Up To Five Years

Iranian officials have proposed suspending uranium enrichment for up to five years during weekend negotiations with the United States in Islamabad, Pakistan, according to a New York Times report.

The offer came as Vice President JD Vance led the US delegation in marathon 21-hour talks aimed at ending the fragile ceasefire following recent US strikes on Iran. US officials rejected the five-year proposal outright and insisted on a 20-year suspension of all nuclear activities, a position that would still allow Tehran to argue it has not permanently surrendered its rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

NaijaChoice News reports that the gap between the two sides remains wide, with no agreement reached despite the high-stakes direct engagement – the first of its kind in over a decade. The Iranian proposal mirrors an earlier offer made in failed Geneva talks in February, which preceded President Donald Trump’s decision to order military action against Iran.

Vice President Vance, however, made no mention of the specific five-year or 20-year figures during his Fox News interview earlier on Monday. Instead, he stressed that Iran must completely abandon its nuclear ambitions and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz as non-negotiable conditions for any lasting peace.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, has been at the centre of the dispute. Iran’s restrictions on shipping through the waterway have already triggered sharp spikes in crude prices, with Brent crude and WTI both crossing the $100-per-barrel mark in recent days amid threats of a full US blockade of Iranian ports.

For Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, the development carries mixed signals. While higher global crude prices could boost government revenues, analysts warn that prolonged instability around the Strait of Hormuz may push domestic fuel costs even higher and dash hopes of cheaper petrol at the pumps. Energy experts told local media that the collapse of the talks has heightened fears of supply disruptions, putting fresh pressure on Nigeria’s already strained fuel subsidy regime and overall economy.

The US side has described the Iranian position as falling short of the “affirmative commitment” needed to guarantee Iran will never develop a nuclear weapon. Iranian media, on the other hand, accused Washington of making “excessive” demands that blocked progress.

As NaijaChoice News continues to monitor the situation, the ball now appears to be back in Tehran’s court, with the Trump administration signalling it will not soften its red lines. President Trump has already announced plans to blockade Iranian ports, raising the spectre of renewed conflict even as Pakistan continues to mediate between the two sides.

Whether the two powers can bridge the five-year versus 20-year divide – or whether the Strait of Hormuz remains closed – could determine the price of fuel for millions of Nigerians in the coming weeks.