U.S. and Iran deadlock on nuclear enrichment as April 21 ceasefire deadline nears

U.S. and Iranian negotiators reached a stalemate on nuclear enrichment by April 13, 2026, with the ceasefire expiring April 21. U.S. officials proposed a 20-year uranium enrichment suspension; Iran countered with five years, which the U.S. rejected. Iran's Atomic Energy Organization head declared Iran would not accept any enrichment limits. Pakistani, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators worked to bridge the gap as the deadline neared. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi separately cited the U.S. naval blockade as evidence of American bad faith.