US President Donald Trump's proposed nuclear agreement with Iran may impose fewer restrictions than the 2015 deal negotiated by former President Barack Obama, which Trump criticized and abandoned. The new agreement is set to be negotiated over a 60-day period and builds on a memorandum of understanding that only addresses Iran's stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium without detailing the fate of enough material to fuel multiple weapons. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the new deal in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Trump has expressed mixed views on the importance of controlling Iran's highly enriched uranium, referring to it as 'nuclear dust.' During a recent meeting at the Group of Seven summit, he questioned the necessity of addressing Iran's stockpile for ending the conflict that began on February 28. He stated, 'You could make the case why are you even bothering? because it’s not really valuable.'
The 2015 agreement limited Iran's stockpile to 300 kilograms of low-enriched uranium and included strict oversight measures. In contrast, the new memorandum allows Iran to access $300 billion for economic development and resume oil exports, while the US would lift all sanctions against Iran, including those imposed by the United Nations.
Trump has labeled the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as 'the worst agreement,' claiming his approach is more effective in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. However, the memorandum includes Iran's commitment to not pursue nuclear weapons, a promise it has made previously. The Trump administration's shift in strategy has drawn criticism from some members of Congress, including Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who argues that Iran should not be allowed to enrich uranium at all.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has raised concerns about the risks of nuclear proliferation resulting from the ongoing conflict. Iran has previously rejected demands to surrender its uranium stockpiles, indicating a willingness to keep its highly-enriched material within the country. US Vice President JD Vance stated that nuclear inspectors will return to Iran, although the deal does not explicitly mention this requirement.