The issue of uranium enrichment continues to be the red line on both sides of the negotiating table in nuclear talks between the United States and Iran.
Iran and the US have held four rounds of talks since April 12, mediated by Oman, with a fifth round reportedly set to be held in the coming days in Rome.
According to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, any deal with Iran will have to include an agreement ending Tehran’s uranium enrichment. All of it.
“We have one very, very clear red line, and that is enrichment,” Witkoff said during an interview on ABC’s ‘This Week’ program.
“We cannot allow even one percent of an enrichment capability … Everything begins from our standpoint with a deal that does not include enrichment. We cannot have that, because enrichment enables weaponization. And we will not allow a bomb to get here,” Witkoff said.
Iran’s response to Witkoff’s remarks was swift.
Speaking to reporters at a weekly news conference in Tehran on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei declared that the issue of uranium enrichment is “by no means negotiable,” calling it a part of the “natural cycle” of Iran’s nuclear industry.
“Enrichment is not a fantasy. Enrichment is a technology and requirement for making sure that Iran’s nuclear industry will go on uninterruptedly,” Baqaei said, according to the Tasnim News Agency.
The spokesperson likened American policies to a game of “snakes and ladders” and said the US “flip flops” on its stance after negotiators return home. “Such a flip flop raises doubts about the US’ seriousness in the talks,” he said.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi likewise told the Mizan News Agency that his country’s position on enrichment is clear: “This is a national achievement by Iranian scientists and abandoning it is not possible.”
Takht-Ravanchi added that the talks are destined to fail if the US continues its demand for “zero enrichment” from Iran.
Last week, President Donald Trump warned Iran must “move quickly” on a proposal sent to Tehran. Iran denies having received any proposal from the US.
“They have a proposal,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One after departing the United Arab Emirates. “More importantly, they know they have to move quickly or something bad – something bad’s going to happen.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi replied in a post on the X social media platform: There is no scenario in which Iran abandons its hard-earned right to enrichment for peaceful purposes . . . Iran nonetheless remains determined and straightforward: Respect our rights and terminate your sanctions, and we have a deal.”
Stay tuned.
