Trump Ain't Down for Uranium Enrichment: No Nuclear Deal with Iran in Sight
Trump states his position against uranium enrichment for Iran
In the ongoing diplomatic tussle between the USA and Iran, no agreement seems to be on the horizon, and a key roadblock remains Iran's uranium enrichment. Despite a recent report suggesting that the USA might agree to a limited uranium enrichment in an anticipated deal, President Donald Trump has publicly opposed this.
On his social network, Truth Social, Trump declared that Washington will not approve uranium enrichment in the ongoing negotiations. This declaration came after news portal Axios reported that Washington's offer might allow Iran limited uranium enrichment.
The USA and Iran resumed discussions in mid-April for a potential new agreement, with the first five rounds ending fruitlessly. Trump pinned the blame for the current situation on President Joe Biden, criticizing him for not halting Iran's uranium enrichment "way back when."
Politics: Israel on Alert due to US Concerns over Attack on Iran
Uranium enrichment remains a hotly contested issue in the negotiations. While Iran has consistently asserted that uranium enrichment as part of its "peaceful nuclear program" is non-negotiable, the US sees it as a "red line."
According to Axios, the latest proposal from Washington, received on Saturday, would permit limited uranium enrichment in Iran at a low level, with the duration yet to be decided. Western nations have long suspected Iran of building nuclear weapons, an accusation Tehran vehemently denies.
Politics: Brewing Tensions over Iran's Nuclear Facilities
On Saturday, an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report revealed that Iran has substantially increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% in the past three months. Uranium enriched to around 90% is required for nuclear weapons.
The IAEA expressed concern about the high level of uranium enrichment and criticized the cooperation with Tehran in verifying Iran's nuclear program as "unsatisfactory."
Background: Iran's Uranium Enrichment Negotiations
- Proposal: The USA put forth a proposal to Iran about establishing a regional consortium that would include Iran, the USA, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab states to enrich uranium for civilian purposes. This consortium would be regulated by the USA and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) [2][3].
- Terms: The proposal encompasses conditions such as limiting uranium enrichment to 3% for a specified duration, rendering Iran's underground enrichment facilities idle, and restricting enrichment activities at above-ground facilities to levels necessary for nuclear reactor fuel [1][2].
- Iran's View: Iranian officials are open to the idea of a consortium but insist that it cannot replace enrichment activities within Iran. They seek clarity on when and how the USA would lift sanctions under this proposal [1][2].
- Future Talks: A sixth round of nuclear talks is tentatively slated for the near future, although the exact date remains uncertain. Both parties aspire to reach an agreement, but Iran is unlikely to accept the proposal without substantial concessions [1][4].
- Regional Tensions: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) expresses concern over Iran's nuclear program and urges Iran to comply with enrichment limitations for peaceful purposes and collaborate with the IAEA [4].
Source: ntv.de, rog/AFP
- Iran
- USA
- Donald Trump
- Reactions and Statements
- Despite the ongoing negotiations between the USA and Iran regarding uranium enrichment, President Donald Trump, in a recent post on Truth Social, reiterated his opposition to any uranium enrichment, even in a limited capacity, as part of the anticipated deal.
- Furthermore, as the diplomatic standoff continues, European countries monitor the situation closely, with the politics of uranium enrichment discussions unfolding as a significant general-news item.
