No Uranium Enrichment Deal for Iran—President Trump Stands Firm
Trump stated there will be no enrichment of uranium for Iran.
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In a Twitter blast, President Trump declared that the U.S. won't budge on the issue of uranium enrichment for Iran, even in the context of a potential nuclear deal. This stance contradicts a report by Axios suggesting that Washington might accept limited uranium enrichment as part of the agreement with Tehran.
The stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations, resumed in mid-April, have faltered in the five rounds of talks, with President Trump pointing fingers at his predecessor, Joe Biden, for not halting Iran's uranium enrichment activities long ago.
The question of uranium enrichment has become a hot button issue between the two nations. While Iran considers it non-negotiable as part of its "peaceful nuclear program," the U.S. views it as a "red line." Reports indicate that Washington's latest proposal, submitted on Saturday, would allow Iran limited uranium enrichment at low levels, but the duration of such allowance remains undecided.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently revealed that Iran has significantly boosted its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% over the past three months. To obtain nuclear weapons, uranium needs to be enriched further, roughly around 90%. The IAEA has expressed disappointment over Iran's cooperation in verifying its nuclear program, labeling it as "unsatisfactory."
Now, let's delve deeper into what could possibly be in a U.S.-Iran nuclear deal, based on recent negotiations:
- Limited Enrichment Levels: The proposal would allow Iran to maintain low levels of uranium enrichment, just enough for civilian purposes like nuclear medicine and commercial power, falling below the 3.67% limit set by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
- Airborne Enrichment Facilities: Enrichment would be confined to above-ground facilities, while Iran would be required to dismantle its underground enrichment facilities for a determined period. Iran would also need to stop new research and development of centrifuges.
- Regional Consortium: The proposal proposes the establishment of a regional uranium enrichment consortium, involving Iran, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and other Arab states. However, there's debate over whether these facilities should be within Iran or outside of it, with Iran insisting on on-site enrichment.
- International Oversight: The consortium's activities would be overseen by the U.S. and the IAEA.
Though the proposal presents a curveball for Iran, it's still uncertain whether the deal will be accepted due to disagreements over enrichment rights and facility locations. As always, stay tuned for the latest updates on this intriguing diplomatic dance!
Sources: ntv.de, rog/AFP
- Iran
- USA
- Donald Trump
The European Union and its Member States closely monitor the politics surrounding the nuclear deal negotiations between the USA and Iran, as the outcome could affect the global-news landscape.
Given the continued stalemate in the U.S.-Iran talks, the proposed plan for limited uranium enrichment is of significant interest to the European Union and its Member States, as it may have implications for their own nuclear policies and non-proliferation efforts.
