Iran nuclear deal restricts enrichment of uranium to zero levels, according to Trump's statement.
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WASHINGTON D.C. — In a surprise turn, U.S. President Donald Trump has flat-out denied any possibility of allowing Iran to enrich uranium under a potential nuclear agreement, as Iran allegedly continues its pursuit of "peaceful" uranium enrichment for power generation purposes.
This thorny issue of uranium enrichment has stood as a major impediment in five rounds of talks since April, aimed at negotiating a new accord to replace the previous agreement that Trump ditched during his initial term in 2018. On Monday, Trump took to his Truth Social network to voice his stance, vowing, "Under our potential Agreement - WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM!" This statement comes in response to reports from Axios suggesting that the latest U.S. offer permits limited uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, with still undetermined duration.
Trump, a Republican, did not hesitate to pin the blame on his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, accusing him of failing to stop Iran from enriching uranium for far too long.
According to Axios, the U.S.'s most recent proposal, sent to Iran on Saturday, would tolerate some low-level uranium enrichment on Iranian soil. However, the specifics of the time frame for this activity remain undisclosed.
Iran has vehemently defended its nuclear program, assuring the world that it has "nothing to hide." Addressing the UN nuclear watchdog's chief, Rafael Grossi, in Cairo, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated bluntly, "If the goal is to deprive Iran of its peaceful activities, then certainly no agreement will be reached."
Following Grossi's call for increased transparency from Iran after a leaked IAEA report revealed Iran's escalation of uranium enrichment, Araghchi stressed that "all activities should be conducted in a transparent and arms-control-friendly manner."
While the IAEA report confirmed that Iran has boosted production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent (close to the 90 percent level required for atomic weapons), Iran has rejected the IAEA report and warned that European powers, who have threatened to reimpose nuclear sanctions, will face retaliation if they exploit it.
Iran has consistently pushed for the United States to lift damaging sanctions imposed on its economy as a condition for a nuclear agreement with Trump's administration. Araghchi stated on Saturday that he had received "elements" of the U.S. proposal for a nuclear deal following the five rounds of talks mediated by Oman.
The U.S. proposal to Iran reportedly calls for Iran to abandon all enrichment activities and establishes a regional coalition for nuclear power production. This proposal, described as "acceptable" and in Iran's "best interest" by the White House, could mark a significant shift in the U.S.'s stance on Iran's nuclear program, given its historical red lines against any enrichment activities and demand for the complete dismantlement of Iran's nuclear facilities. Yet, the divergence between these public declarations and the secret proposal has raised questions about the complexity and potential political risks inherent in these negotiations.
As these talks progress, both regional stability and the diplomatic landscape remain delicate, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi urging de-escalation and advocating for a nuclear-weapon-free Middle East. Warning against the potentially disastrous consequences of military confrontation, al-Sisi expressed his hope that "this agency does not fall into the trap" of fueling tensions between Iran and the U.S. Iran, in turn, has reiterated its commitment to enriching uranium "with or without a deal."
- The thorny issue of uranium enrichment, a major subject in politics and policy-and-legislation, has remained a roadblock in negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, with the talks aimed at drafting a new nuclear agreement.
- The latest offer from the U.S. to Iran, as reported by Axios, tolerates some low-level uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, a development significant for general-news readers, given its potential implications for regional stability and global nuclear policies.
