Washington and London are at odds over the proposed US-Iran nuclear framework, with US President Donald Trump demanding revisions to the text and Downing Street reiterating that British red lines are not open for negotiation. The dispute, confirmed by sources in both capitals, threatens to unravel weeks of painstaking diplomacy aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear programme.
According to officials familiar with the matter, Mr Trump raised objections to several provisions during a phone call with Prime Minister Keir Starmer late on Tuesday. The US president is understood to have taken issue with the scope of sanctions relief offered to Iran, the timeline for inspections, and mechanisms for re-imposing restrictions if Tehran breaches the terms. A White House spokesperson declined to comment on specific edits but said the president believes the current draft 'does not adequately protect American interests'.
Downing Street responded swiftly. A spokesperson for the prime minister said the UK's position is 'firm and clear' and that certain elements of the agreement are 'non-negotiable'. These include the requirement for snapback sanctions in the event of non-compliance, and the maintenance of restrictions on Iran's ballistic missile programme. The spokesperson added that London will not accept 'any dilution of the existing framework that would allow Iran to advance its nuclear capabilities'.
The disagreement marks the first major rift between the two allies since the UK voted to rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2021. Trump abandoned the accord in 2018 during his first term, citing its 'disastrous flaws'. European powers have since sought to rebuild a broader agreement that addresses US concerns while keeping Iran at the table.
Diplomatic sources say Iran has been watching the negotiations closely. Tehran has previously warned that any renegotiation of core terms would be a 'deal-breaker'. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Wednesday that 'Iran will not accept any changes to the agreed parameters', and that 'the window for a diplomatic solution is narrowing'.
The developments come as the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reported that Iran is continuing to enrich uranium to 60% purity, well beyond the limits set under the original JCPOA. IAEA inspectors have also raised concerns about the lack of access to certain sites.
Professor John Ashworth, a nuclear security expert at King's College London, said the impasse could jeopardise the entire negotiating process. 'The British and Americans are at cross-purposes on fundamental points. If Trump pushes too hard, he risks not only undermining the UK's credibility but also handing Iran a pretext to walk away.'
Market reaction was muted but analysts noted a slight rise in oil prices on fears of increased instability in the Gulf region. The UK Foreign Office said it remains 'committed to a diplomatic solution' and that talks will continue 'at all levels' in the coming days.
For now, the joint US-UK position, once a pillar of Western strategy on Iran, is showing signs of stress. Downing Street insists its red lines are non-negotiable. The White House says it will not accept a deal that does not meet American demands. With few signs of compromise, the next week could determine the fate of one of the most significant non-proliferation efforts of the decade.
