Iran and the United States wrapped up a fifth round of high-stakes nuclear negotiations in Rome on Friday, which was attended by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and lasted more than two hours. A senior Trump administration official described the discussions as “constructive,” noting that while progress had been made, “there is still work to be done.”
The Iranian side was more skeptical. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian parliament’s National Security Committee, commented on the ongoing negotiations Saturday night and expressed doubt about the outcome. He stated that the talks were unlikely to result in an agreement and confirmed that Iran was actively preparing for a Plan B in response.
“In light of statements by American officials demanding a complete halt to uranium enrichment in Iran, we have lost confidence and no longer believe the negotiations will lead to an agreement. We are now preparing for Plan B,” Rezaei said.
Earlier this month, Rezaei referenced Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who emphasized that the Islamic Republic’s right to enrich uranium is a “red line.” He stated that any potential agreement with the United States regarding Iran’s “peaceful nuclear program” depends on adherence to this fundamental principle.
THE FATWA
The Iranian regime has long promoted what many analysts consider a hoax: the claim that a fatwa issued by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prohibits the acquisition, development, and use of nuclear weapons. This supposed religious decree is said to date back to the mid-1990s, with the first public reference appearing in October 2003, followed by an official mention during an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting in Vienna in August 2005.
However, the existence, consistency, and applicability of this fatwa have been questioned by numerous observers. Critics argue that the fatwa’s authenticity is doubtful, and even if it exists, Khamenei could revise or revoke it under changing political or strategic circumstances, just as his predecessor, Ayatollah Khomeini, reversed positions on critical issues during his tenure.
Iran’s alleged opposition to nuclear and chemical weapons is often linked to its experience in the eight-year Iran-Iraq War, during which Iran refrained from retaliating in kind to Iraq’s chemical attacks. These assaults killed an estimated 20,000 Iranians and left over 100,000 severely wounded.
Despite the controversy, the fatwa is listed on Khamenei’s official website and has been referenced by both Khamenei and former President Barack Obama in diplomatic contexts. Nonetheless, skepticism remains high over whether it represents a binding or unchangeable religious stance.
So, If Iran claims to oppose the development of nuclear weapons, how does it justify enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels?
Iran justifies its aggressive uranium enrichment by framing it as a matter of national sovereignty, technological self-sufficiency, and national pride rather than a step toward nuclear weapons development.
Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi underscored this position by stating: “Uranium enrichment is tied to the national pride of Iranians, and we have paid dearly for access to this key technology. Therefore, it is a red line for the country, and we will not back down from it.”
