Tehran (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – According to Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takhtravanchi, state media reported on Monday that nuclear talks between Iran and the United States “will lead nowhere” if the US maintains its demand for Tehran to completely halt its uranium enrichment activities.
On Sunday, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff reaffirmed Washington’s position that any new agreement with Iran should encompass a commitment to halt enrichment, which could lead to the development of nuclear weapons. Tehran claims that its nuclear energy programme is exclusively for peaceful intentions.
Why does Iran refuse to halt uranium enrichment?
“Our position on enrichment is clear, and we have repeatedly stated that it is a national achievement from which we will not back down,”
Takhtravanchi stated.
The US is complicating talks by voicing opinions in public different from what is examined privately during discussions, an Iranian foreign ministry representative stated on Monday.
“Despite hearing contradictory statements from the Americans, we are still participating in negotiations,”
Esmail Baghaei also said.
What did Trump say about the deal timeline?
While visiting the Gulf region last week, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that a deal was nearing completion, but emphasised that Iran must act swiftly to address the longstanding dispute.
US president informed reporters on Air Force One after departing the UAE,
“They have a proposal. More importantly, they realise they must act quickly, or something negative—something negative is bound to occur,”
Based on an audio recording of his comments.
An Iranian official informed Reuters that a fifth round of discussions is anticipated this weekend in Rome, pending confirmation.
What impact did Trump’s 2018 withdrawal have?
During his first 2017 to 2021, Trump pulled the United States out of a 2015 agreement between Iran and global powers, which imposed stringent restrictions on Tehran’s enrichment activities in return for the easing of international sanctions.
Trump, who characterised the 2015 agreement as biased towards Iran, also reinstated extensive U.S. sanctions on the country. In turn, Iran strengthened its enrichment moves.
