US Demands Iran End Nuclear Enrichment for Deal

Washington, D.C. The United States has laid out its conditions for a renewed agreement with Iran regarding its nuclear program, emphasizing that Tehran must cease all uranium enrichment activities. Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy for Iran, articulated this position during a press briefing, highlighting the administration's determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capabilities.

"Our position is clear: Iran must verifiably dismantle its uranium enrichment program," Witkoff stated. "This is a non-negotiable requirement for any future agreement. We believe that allowing Iran to continue enriching uranium would create an unacceptable risk of proliferation and destabilize the region."

The U.S. demand represents a significant hurdle in ongoing diplomatic efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which limited Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The previous agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was abandoned by the U.S. in 2018.

Iranian officials have so far resisted calls to completely halt enrichment, arguing that it is a right under international law and necessary for peaceful purposes, such as generating electricity and producing medical isotopes. However, the U.S. maintains that Iran's history of concealing nuclear activities necessitates strict limitations.

The negotiations are further complicated by regional tensions and concerns about Iran's ballistic missile program and support for proxy groups. The U.S. has indicated that any new agreement would need to address these broader security concerns.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether a diplomatic solution can be reached. Failure to reach an agreement could escalate tensions and potentially lead to further instability in the Middle East.