U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s counter-proposal to a nuclear agreement as “just not acceptable,” as both sides brace for a new round of indirect negotiations later this week amid heightened tensions over uranium enrichment and sanctions relief.

Trump: “They Seek Enrichment. We Can’t Have Enrichment.”

Speaking at the White House on Monday after a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump reiterated the U.S. demand that Iran abandon uranium enrichment on its own soil. “They’re just asking for things that you can’t do,” he said. “They seek enrichment. We can’t have enrichment.”

Trump acknowledged that talks would continue but made clear that Iran’s latest demands—particularly those related to enrichment—would not be tolerated.

Iran Prepares Counter-Proposal, Rejects U.S. Offer

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that Tehran will present a revised proposal via Oman. “The U.S. proposal is not acceptable to us,” Baghaei said, describing it as inconsistent with previous negotiation rounds. He claimed Iran’s alternative will be “reasonable, logical, and balanced.”

Baghaei also emphasized that sanctions must be lifted in a way that restores Iran’s access to global banking and trade—something Iran insists must be guaranteed before any deal is signed.

IAEA Raises Concerns Over Iran’s Nuclear Transparency

The UN nuclear watchdog added further urgency to the standoff. Director General Rafael Grossi said Monday that the IAEA still cannot verify the peaceful nature of Iran’s program. He accused Tehran of “sanitizing” nuclear sites and obstructing inspections.

The agency confirmed that Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%—near weapons-grade—has surged by 35% in just three months, potentially enough for ten nuclear warheads.

Khamenei’s Hardline Stance Adds Pressure

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly rejected U.S. demands for zero enrichment last week, calling it “100% against” Iran’s national interests. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf further criticized the U.S. for not offering sanction relief in its original proposal.

While no formal date is set, both sides anticipate indirect talks to resume by the end of the week, possibly in Muscat or Oslo, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expected to lead the delegations.