United States President Donald Trump has said he would accept a 20-year suspension of Iran's nuclear programme, signalling a shift from his previous demand for a permanent end to uranium enrichment. He stressed that it would need to be a 'real 20 years', though he did not provide further details. Earlier, he had insisted Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons.

His comments come as fighting between Israeli and United States forces and Iran has largely paused under a ceasefire intended to support negotiations, though tensions remain high and both sides have rejected recent proposals. Pakistan has been acting as a mediator in the talks, but significant gaps persist.

Trump said Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which it has been blocking, contributing to rising global oil prices. The 20-year timeframe echoes reports that United States officials had previously pushed for a long-term suspension during negotiations.

Israel has not yet responded publicly to Trump's latest remarks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that Iran's enriched uranium stockpile must be removed entirely, reiterating longstanding Israeli opposition to time-limited restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities.