WASHINGTON, DC — US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff says Tehran has “must stop and eliminate” its nuclear enrichment program to reach a deal with Washington, and appears to have raised the US stick before another talks with Iranian officials.
Witkov’s remarks on Tuesday appear to contradict his proposal a day ago that the US would be happy with Iran’s low levels of uranium enrichment in energy production.
“The final arrangement requires the establishment of a framework for peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East, meaning that Iran must halt and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization programme,” Witkov said in a statement Tuesday.
“It’s essential for the world to create the tough, fair deals we can endure, and that’s what President Trump asked me to do.”
Witkov’s official title is a special envoy in the Middle East, but US President Donald Trump has given him the responsibility of several interregional high stakes, including leading the talks between Russia and Iran.
The US envoy negotiated with Iranian officials and was in direct contact with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut in Oman on Saturday. Further discussions are scheduled for April 19th.
Speaking to Fox News on Monday, Witkov suggested that the US hopes Iran will suppress uranium enrichment. A process in which the atomic composition of uranium is changed to produce nuclear fuel. When concentrated at 90%, uranium can be used on weapons.
“They don’t need to enrich the past 3.67%,” Witkoff said. “In some circumstances it’s 60%. In other circumstances it’s 20%. That’s not possible. You don’t have to run – as they argue – as you’re a civil nuclear program that’s fully fulfilled past 3.67%, so this will be a lot about validating enrichment programs.”
The claims drew criticism from the conservative Hawks who have sought to abolish Iran’s enrichment programme altogether.
It is not the first time in recent years that the US has tried to negotiate limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
In 2015, the United States was a key party in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with Iran being to reduce uranium enrichment to 3.67% in exchange for lifting international sanctions on the economy.
The US administration of then-Democrat, then-Democrat, welcomed the deal as a way to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. But when Republican Trump took office in his first term in 2017, he moved to that agreement and did it the following year.
Since then, the US has built sanctions on Iran, and Tehran has escalated its nuclear program accordingly. After returning to the White House for a second term this year, Trump has rebooted the so-called maximum pressure campaign against Iran.
In an interview with Fox, Witkov hinted that the Trump administration is seeking concessions from Iran beyond the JCPOA, particularly over the missile program.
He said Washington is seeking “weaponization verification” from Iran, including “the types of missiles they stocked there.”
However, his statement on Tuesday appears that the US wants to see all of Iran’s uranium enrichment.
Iranian officials have said for decades that the country has not wanted a nuclear bomb, but they also emphasize that its country has the right to use nuclear energy to create.
Tensions between the two countries have been particularly high last month.
In mid-March, Trump threatened to retaliate against Iran if a group of Yemeni groups, one of Yemen’s regional allies, continued attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.
“All shots fired by Houthis from this point are considered shots fired from Iran’s weapons and leadership, and Iran is responsible, suffering from consequences, and those consequences are miserable!” Trump wrote socially in the truth of his platform.
Trump also indicated that military action could be considered if the current nuclear talks collapse. “I think Iran will be in great danger if the consultations with Iran are not successful,” he said last week.
Still, the US President also emphasizes that he prefers diplomatic deals to ensure that Tehran never acquires nuclear weapons.
On Monday, Trump called for quick negotiations to resolve the issue, threatening to take “severe” actions against Tehran again.
While talks are underway, the Foreign Policy Hawks warned against Trump’s participation in negotiations drawn up and deals similar to the JCPOA.
Last week, nine Republican Congress members, including Claudia Tenney of New York and Barry Rudermilk of Georgia, wrote to Trump calling for “depriving Tehran of its ability to enrich Tehran forever.”
“The Tehran regime has mastered the art of delays and deception, using diplomatic negotiations as a shield, whilst advancing its nuclear ambitions,” the lawmaker wrote.
“We cannot afford another failed agreement that will allow Iran to play for a while, and we cannot repeat past mistakes from past past by allowing Iran to enrich uranium and maintain its ability to reconstruct its nuclear program.”
Israel is a top US ally in the region and is widely believed to have undeclared nuclear weapons.
Iranian officials have expressed doubts about the new contract, noting that Tehran had contributed to its commitment under the JCPOA while the US waived the agreement.
“The negotiations may or may not,” Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency. “We are not too optimistic or pessimistic about them. Of course, we are very skeptical of the other party, but we are confident in our own abilities.”