Bargaining A Nuclear Standoff Before Trump's Visit: A Tough Nut for the USA to Crack in Iran Talks
U.S. to engage in nuclear talks with Iran with a firm and extensive agenda
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As President Trump prepares for his Middle East voyage, he yearns to notch a triumphant diplomatic success with Iran, butt the ongoing discussions over its nuclear program have hit a snag. Today, in Muscat, Oman, United States special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi are set to meet for the fourth round of negotiations. Oman is brokering the peace between the two warring nations who have threatened each other militarily in recent years.
Newsbyte Iran Turns up the Heat with Video Surveillance for Headscarf Enforcement Rodriguez's angry tweet about Trump's Persian Gulf renaming plan caused a stir, with Iran vowing to counter any renaming attempts[2]. The fourth round of nuclear talks, initially scheduled in Rome, was postponed "for logistical reasons," although experts suspect the delay stemmed from initial difficulties and differences in negotiating positions[3]. The new discussion date coincides with Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from Tuesday to Thursday.
A Decade of Nuclear Disputes
The crux of the disagreement revolves around Iran's nuclear ambitions. While Tehran maintains that it's seeking purely peaceful purposes, Western nations, including the USA, harbor fears about the development of a nuclear weapon[3]. Iranian officials have recently stoked the fire with talks on acquiring nuclear arms for military deterrence[3]. Trump has veiled threats of annihilation if no resolution is reached.
In 2015, a landmark deal was brokered in Vienna following intense negotiations between the USA, China, Russia, France, Germany, the UK, and Iran, limiting Iran's nuclear program. However, Trump decision to withdraw unilaterally in 2018 and impose harsh sanctions strained relations[3]. The USA accused Iran of violating the agreement, despite international inspectors finding no evidence of a military nuclear program[3]. In retaliation, Tehran also ceased compliance with the agreement's provisions, notably resuming uranium enrichment to near-weapons-grade levels[3].
Reviving the agreement under President Biden also proved unsuccessful. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, wherein Iran supports Russia, further dampened Western enthusiasm for renewed negotiations. Domestically, resistance to the agreement has stemmed from political conservatives and religious hardliners who view it as a betrayal and an unwarranted proximity to the West[3]. With Trump seeking a new accord, the drawbridge has been lowered.
USA Digs in its Heels
Witkoff enters the next round of negotiations with a hardline stance, demanding that Iran completely abandon its enrichment program and relinquish all facilities that might aid nuclear weapon production[1]. In an interview with Breitbart, he underscored his intent, stating, "They should not be allowed to enrich uranium, possess centrifuges, or have anything that could enable them to build a weapon"[1]. Experts believe Tehran is currently enriching uranium to a purity level of 60 percent, far short of the requisite 90 percent for nuclear weapons. Under the Vienna deal, Iran's enrichment capacity was restricted to 3.67 percent with a stockpile of up to 300 kg of uranium[3]. It remains doubtful that Iran will yield to these demands and import fuel rods for its civilian nuclear program in the future[3]. In the Islamic Republic, the nuclear program symbolizes national pride.
The enrichment debate has often spilled over into the realm of politics. In the midst of the talks, Iran dug its heels in, linking the prospect of a new deal to a relaxation of regional tensions and the lifting of sanctions[3]. Despite years of political isolation, Iran has bolstered its relationship with China and Russia through strategic partnerships[3]. Despite being cut off from international payment systems, the Iranian government largely generates its revenue from oil sales, with China serving as the largest buyer.
- The United States special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi in Oman, as part of the ongoing negotiations about Iran's nuclear program.
- According to a report, the fourth round of these negotiations, which was initially scheduled in Rome, was postponed due to logistical reasons, but some experts suspect the delay may be due to initial difficulties and differences in negotiating positions.
- Earlier, in 2018, the USA withdrew from a landmark deal brokered in Vienna that limited Iran's nuclear program and imposed sanctions, leading to a strained relationship between the two countries.
- The current employment policy of the USA, as represented by Witkoff's stance, demands that Iran completely abandon its enrichment program and relinquish all facilities that might aid nuclear weapon production, a move that is highly unlikely to be accepted by Iran due to its importance as a symbol of national pride.
