Tehran (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Iran can withstand the breakdown of negotiations with the US regarding its nuclear program, stated Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, following US President Donald Trump’s remarks that discussions with Iran over the weekend were “very good.”
The negotiations seek to settle a long-standing conflict regarding Iran’s nuclear goals, while Trump has warned Iran of severe economic restrictions and potential bombings if a new nuclear deal is not established. Both flanks face significant risks during the negotiations.
Can Terhan survive without a nuclear deal with Washington?
“We won’t starve if they refuse to negotiate or impose sanctions,” the Iranian president stated, according to state media regarding discussions with the US. “We will discover a way to persevere.”
Will Tehran agree to limit uranium enrichment soon?
When questioned about claims that Iran might halt enrichment for three years to secure a deal, foreign ministry representative Esmail Baghaei stated at a press conference: “Iran will never accept that.”
He also excluded the option of a temporary nuclear agreement with the U.S., rejecting media claims that a provisional deal was under consideration as a short-term measure toward a final agreement.
Baghaei stated that Iran is awaiting additional information from Oman, the mediator, about when the sixth round of talks will occur.
“If there is goodwill on the US side, and we remain hopeful. However, if the negotiations focus on limiting Iran’s rights, discussions will falter nowhere,”
he also said.
Is a temporary nuclear deal off the table?
The US president aims to limit Tehran’s ability to create a nuclear weapon, which could spark a regional nuclear arms race and pose a threat to Israel. Conversely, Tehran insists that its nuclear program serves solely civilian purposes and seeks relief from crippling sanctions affecting its oil-driven economy.
Last week, the representatives from Iran and the US concluded a fifth round of talks in Spain. Although some signs of limited progress were observed, significant disagreements remain, particularly regarding Iran’s uranium enrichment issue.
Experts have indicated that finalizing a specific agreement before summer would likely be unfeasible due to the complexities of such an accord. Meanwhile, a Tehran officeholder engaged in nuclear discussions with the Washinton stated,
“If the US drops its ‘zero enrichment’ demand, a political agreement is feasible.”
