The United States has conveyed its position that any future nuclear agreement with Iran must remain in effect indefinitely, just one day before nuclear negotiations are set to begin.
According to Axios on the 25th (local time), White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated in a closed-door meeting the previous day that negotiations must proceed on the premise of excluding sunset clauses (provisions with expiration dates). He added that if an agreement is reached, the Donald Trump administration is willing to hold follow-up talks on issues including Iran's missile program and support for proxy militias.
Previous agreements contained sunset clauses with effectiveness periods of 8 to 25 years. Excluding these provisions this time would not only strengthen the binding force of any agreement but also enable political claims that it is more robust than the deal struck under the Barack Obama administration. The core issues are limiting Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities and handling its stockpile of enriched uranium. Negotiations have hit difficulties as Iran insists on maintaining domestic enrichment.
Simultaneously, the U.S. has launched pressure targeting the Iranian regime's funding channels and weapons supply systems. The Treasury and State Departments announced they would "sanction vessels, owners, and operators of the shadow fleet that has been transporting Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and petrochemicals," adding that "30 individuals and entities involved in weapons procurement networks based in Iran, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that support Iran's ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons development will also be designated for sanctions."
The most likely war scenario is projected to be a joint U.S.-Israeli operation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House last week and pressed for action to address Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missile infrastructure.
A pessimistic atmosphere within the White House regarding these negotiations is reportedly strong. A source familiar with the discussions told Politico, "Advisers are leaning toward 'we're going to bomb them (Iran).'"