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Iranian officials told CNN that recent indirect talks with the US aimed at dealing with Tehran’s nuclear program and lifting sanctions were “not real” from the US, and likely were designed from the start as a “trap to elicit the situation towards tension.”
According to officials who spoke to CNN on the condition of anonymity, Iran assessed the weekly gap between the US’s political and media games talks, contrary to Tehran’s preferences, and is currently preparing a scenario in which the meeting will fail.
We come after our special envoy, Steve Witkov, warned on Friday that if the next meeting in Oman on Sunday is not productive, “they must not continue and take a different route.”
A US official said on Saturday that President (Donald) Trump is “completely sincere to his desire to reach a deal with Iran and is committed to getting it in full.”
“The United States not only hopes that Iran will never get nuclear weapons, but also hopes that peace in the Middle East, new ties with Iran and that the people of Iran reach the potential of their nation,” a US official said.
Sunday’s speeches are expected to be at only high levels, suggesting that both sides will discuss a broader framework for moving forward. CNN understands that technical teams are not expected to be present to negotiate more granular aspects of the transaction, such as sanctions relief.
Earlier on Saturday, Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi, who is scheduled to meet Witkov on Sunday, said Tehran had received a “contradictory message” from the US saying that “different individuals express different views.”
An Iranian source said the US was “essentially not prepared for meaningful technical and political consultations,” adding that the US gave the question a “short and general answer,” ignoring “major proposals” and “constantly changing its position” through negotiations.
Sources have concluded that the situation will result in Iran being “not bringing the desired consequences of sanctions relief and economic benefits.”
As a result, Tehran is “preparing for the next phase where political, economic and other sectors are preparing the necessary scenarios for the past month.”
Comments later explained the biggest details to date about expectations for US consultations after Witkoff in an interview with Breitbart posted Friday.
“The enrichment programme will never be in Iran again. It is our red line. It is not enriched. It means demolition, there is no weaponization. It means Natanz, Fordau and Isfahan – they are three enrichment facilities – must be demolished,” Witkov said.
Iran says it is unnegotiable to be allowed to enrich uranium.
An Iranian source reiterated to CNN on Saturday that uranium enrichment in Iran’s soil was Iran’s “clear red line” in negotiations. He said the US “knows well.”
Iran has long been claiming that its programme is for energy purposes.
In an interview with Breitbart, the special mission said the consultations focused solely on the nuclear issue. This is a shift from the first Trump administration’s attempt to broadly address Iran’s aggressive actions in the region.
CNN’s Jennifer Hansler and Betsy Klein contributed to this report.