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Iran nuclear conundrum on May 10, 2026

Iran responded on May 10 to a U.S. proposal to end fighting before starting talks on more contentious issues, including Iran's nuclear program. (Reuters) Here is what has been reported today on the Iran nuclear conundrum 

 • Suspending enrichment, dismantling nuclear facilities - WSJ 
The Wall Street Journal reported: Iran said it was willing to suspend uranium enrichment for a shorter period than the 20-year moratorium proposed by the United States but rejected dismantling its nuclear facilities. 
• Iran's enriched uranium stockpile 
        Trump says US will get Iran's enriched uranium - Full Measure 
President Donald Trump interview with Sharyl Attkisson on the television program Full Measure: The United States would eventually get Iran’s enriched uranium buried under rubble and was monitoring the site. “We’ll get that at some point... We have it surveilled. I did a thing called Space Force, and they are watching that... If anybody got near the place, we will know about it — and we’ll blow them up.”                        
        Netanyahu: Iran's enriched uranium must be removed - CBS News/Reuters 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes program: Iran’s highly enriched uranium must be removed. “I think the war accomplished a great deal, but it’s not over” because there was "more work to be done" to remove enriched uranium from Iran, dismantle enrichment sites and address Iran's proxies and ballistic missile capabilities. He said the best way to remove the enriched uranium would be through diplomacy, without ruling out removing it by force. “It can be done physically.” 

• US says Iran nuclear issue must be resolved 'once and for all' - Fox News 
A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital: “Iran’s nuclear program poses a threat to the United States and the entire world. Iran today stands in breach of its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations by failing to provide full cooperation with the IAEA.” He added that Iran’s leadership “must engage in serious diplomatic negotiations with the United States to resolve the nuclear issue once and for all.” 

I guess you need to be an international safeguards insider to understand what is wrong with that US State Department statement. 
    Yes, Iran’s noncompliance is with its obligations under the NPT and its NPT safeguards agreement with IAEA, and Iran not fully cooperating with IAEA is a significant part of that.
    No, Iran does not negotiate with the US (or any other government) to resolve its NPT noncompliance. That is dealt with through the IAEA Department of Safeguards and legal division, the IAEA Board of Governors and IAEA Director General, and if necessary the UN Security Council. 
    What the US on its own is now trying to negotiate with Iran on the nuclear front (which was done by China, France, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom, United States and the European Union in negotiating the 2015 JCPOA) are additional commitments and confidence building measures, with additional monitoring and verification by IAEA (therefore requiring UN Security Council mandating). In addition, the US is now trying to get non-nuclear commitments from Iran. And Iran is naturally asking for more in return. 

 The Iran nuclear conundrum continues. Stay tuned!

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