By All Israel News — Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Iran has swiftly dismissed the United States’ firm stance on uranium enrichment, calling the demand “unrealistic” following comments by former President Donald Trump’s special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. Speaking on ABC News’ This Week, Witkoff reiterated that any diplomatic agreement with Iran would not permit the country to maintain uranium enrichment capabilities.
“We have one very clear red line, and that is enrichment,” Witkoff emphasized. “We cannot allow even 1% enrichment capability in Iran.”
Witkoff highlighted that the U.S. has presented proposals to Iran aiming to address concerns without disrespecting the nation’s sovereignty. He reaffirmed the Trump administration’s commitment to resolving tensions through diplomacy and dialogue.
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took to social media platform X to assert Iran’s rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), emphasizing that enrichment is a legitimate, peaceful scientific achievement for the country. “There is no scenario in which Iran will deviate from its right to enrich uranium,” Araghchi stated.
Araghchi also conveyed willingness to negotiate a deal ensuring Iran would never pursue nuclear weapons, but stressed that uranium enrichment would continue regardless of an agreement. “If the U.S. seeks a peaceful resolution, a deal is possible. However, enrichment in Iran will persist with or without an accord.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed this position during the Tehran Dialogue Forum, affirming Iran’s determination to continue its peaceful nuclear program despite ongoing U.S. pressure.
During the forum, Araghchi accused U.S. policymakers of inconsistent negotiation tactics, attributing the instability to pressure from Israeli interests. “Hardline factions in Washington, in coordination with Netanyahu’s agenda, are undermining progress,” he explained.
Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, declared that if the U.S. insists on halting enrichment entirely, further talks will be “pointless and futile.”
So far, four rounds of U.S.-Iran negotiations mediated by Oman have taken place regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Both parties have described discussions as positive, yet substantial progress remains elusive.
On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated the administration’s unwavering stance on enrichment, confirming the commitment from President Trump, Special Envoy Witkoff, and Secretary Rubio to uphold this red line.
A joint statement from the European Union and United Kingdom expressed serious concerns about the rapid expansion of Iran’s nuclear capabilities and its regional conduct.
Amid his Middle East tour, Trump reiterated support for military options if diplomacy fails, stating in an interview with Fox News’ Brett Baier, “We will have a solution, violent or non-violent, though I prefer the latter. But they will not obtain a nuclear weapon.”
