Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei, during a ceremony honoring the late President Ebrahim Raisi, commented on the ongoing nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, touching on the uranium enrichment issue in particular, asserting that “Saying Iran is not allowed to enrich uranium is sheer arrogance. The Islamic Republic does not wait for anyone’s permission.”
He added on the negotiations that "We don't think it will lead to any outcome. We don't know what will happen."
Foreign Minister Araghchi, in response to Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s ABC interview remarks regarding the U.S. zero enrichment red line, stated to the Iranian Tasnim news agency that "Unrealistic expectations stop negotiations, enrichment in Iran is not something that can be stopped." Araghchi continued, "I think these remarks are entirely disconnected from the realities of the negotiations."
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted the following statement to X/Twitter, continuing the discourse on Iran’s enrichment capabilities:
“In addressing the talks regarding Iran's peaceful nuclear program, our U.S. interlocutors are naturally free to publicly state whatever they deem fit to ward off Special Interest groups; malign actors which set the agendas of at least previous Administrations.
Iran can only control what we Iranians do, and that is to avoid negotiating in public—particularly given the current dissonance we are seeing between what our U.S. interlocutors say in public and in private, and from one week to the other.
Our stance on Iran's rights as a NPT member is crystal clear, and there is no scenario in which Iranians will permit deviance from that. Mastering enrichment technology is a hard-earned and homegrown scientific achievement; an outcome of great sacrifice of both blood and treasure.
If the U.S. is interested in ensuring that Iran will not have nuclear weapons, a deal is within reach, and we are ready for a serious conversation to achieve a solution that will forever ensure that outcome. Enrichment in Iran, however, will continue with or without a deal.”
During an interview with ABC, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated "We have one very, very clear red line, and that is enrichment. We cannot allow even 1% of an enrichment capability."
He continued that everything begins, "with a deal that does not include enrichment. We cannot have that. Because enrichment enables weaponization. And we will not allow a bomb to get here.”
In response to reports that Iran was given a proposal for a deal from the U.S., Foreign Minister Araghchi posted the following statement to X/Twitter:
“Iran has not received any written proposal from the United States, whether directly or indirectly.
In the meantime, the messaging we—and the world—continue to receive is confusing and contradictory. Iran nonetheless remains determined and straightforward: Respect our rights and terminate your sanctions, and we have a deal.
Mark my words: there is no scenario in which Iran abandons its hard-earned right to enrichment for peaceful purposes: a right afforded to all other NPT signatories, too.
The Great Iranian Nation has shown its Power and Fortitude in the face of those who have attempted imposition. We ALWAYS welcome dialogue based on mutual respect and ALWAYS reject any diktat.”
President Trump sat down for an interview with Bret Baier on Fox News where he made the following remarks:
“Iran wants to trade with us, okay, if you can believe that. And I’m okay with it. I’m using trade to settle scores and to make peace. But I’ve told Iran, ‘we make a deal you’re going to be really, you’re going to be very happy.’ But more than anything I’ve told Iran very simply, because I heard somebody making my case last night on television. I didn’t like it, because they were saying there’s plenty of time — there’s not plenty of time. Well, they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon. And eventually, they’ll have a nuclear weapon and then the discussion becomes a much different one.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared on Fox News where he spoke to the current progress of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations:
“A regime like that can never have nuclear weapons, and the President has made clear they will not have a nuclear weapon. We hope it’s through the path of negotiation. We hope it’s through the path of diplomacy. Steve Witkoff is doing a great job at negotiating, and a very difficult negotiation. This will not be easy. But he’s doing a great job at trying to bring about that peaceful resolution to this problem. And we should pray that he is successful, I have confidence in him. But in the end, the decision lies in the hands of one person — and that’s the Supreme Leader in Iran. And I hope he chooses the path of peace and prosperity, not a destructive path. And we’ll see how that plays out.”
When prompted by the host Sean Hannity on Iran’s enrichment to the 60% threshold, Sec. Rubio stated: “That’s misleading when you hear that number because they think 60% enrichment and 90% is what you need for a weapon. Actually, 90% of the work it takes to get to weapons grade enrichment is getting to 60%. Once you’re at 60%, you’re 90% of the way there. You are, in essence, a threshold nuclear weapon state, which is what Iran basically has become. They are at the threshold of a nuclear weapon. If they decided to do so, they could do so very quickly if they stockpile enough of that 60% enriched, they could very quickly turn it into 90% and weaponize it. That’s the danger we face right now. That’s the urgency here. That’s why Israel feels urgency about it and that’s why we feel urgency about it. But not just us, throughout the Gulf region, no country wants Iran to have a nuclear weapon. And you also talk about not just the weapon, they have long range missiles that they can deliver those weapons to. This is a very grave risk. And they are enriching at that level, and they are openly doing it by the way. In fact, their Congress — their legislative branch — actually passed a law requiring them to enrich at a certain level because JCPOA — the Obama deal with Iran — was cancelled.* So this is a critical moment. The president has made it a priority. And now people understand the urgency here because they are fairly close — too close for comfort — to a nuclear weapon. We have to roll that back one way or another. And we hope it’s peacefully and through the process of negotiation.”
Editor’s note: the U.S. exit from the JCPOA in 2018 did open the door to higher-level enrichment by Iran, though Iran’s parliament did not pass a law mandating a higher level of enrichment until after the assassination of top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in November 2020.
President Trump stated that the U.S. and Iran are very close to securing a deal and that Iran has “sort of” agreed to U.S. terms. Reports in recent days had shed light on various proposals reportedly made at the negotiating table, though it is far from clear that a deal is close and significant gaps may well remain between the two sides.
President Trump stated during his Middle East tour that "We're getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this... there (are) two steps to doing this, there is a very, very nice step and there is the violent step, but I don't want to do it the second way."
Ali Shamkhani, a member of Iran’s Expediency Council and a close advisor to the Supreme Leader, sat down with NBC News to communicate Iran’s readiness to sign a nuclear deal with President Trump under certain conditions in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.
He emphasized in the interview that “Iran would commit to never making nuclear weapons, getting rid of its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium which can be weaponized, agree to enrich uranium only to the lower levels needed for civilian use, and allow international inspectors to supervise the process, in exchange for the immediate lifting of all economic sanctions on Iran.”
Shamkhani further stated that “It’s still possible. If the Americans act as they say, for sure we can have better relations…it can lead to a better situation in the near future.”
President Trump subsequently posted a screenshot of NBC’s report on this interview with Shamkhani to Truth Social.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran will not “bow to any bully” in response to President Trump’s critical remarks made against the Islamic Republic during his recent speech in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Speaking with Iranian State TV, Pezeshkian further stated that “He [Trump] thinks he can come here, chant slogans, and scare us. For us, martyrdom is far sweeter than dying in bed. You came to frighten us? We will not bow to any bully.”
During his trip to the Middle East, President Trump appealed to Qatar directly, asking for their assistance in securing a deal with Iran:
“I hope you can help me with the Iran situation,” He continued, “It’s a perilous situation, and we want to do the right thing.”
During a speech held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, President Trump stated that the Islamic Republic is "the biggest and most destructive" force in the Middle East which "has caused unthinkable suffering in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq, Yemen and beyond." He also suggested that Iran and its allied groups seek "constantly to drag the Middle East backward and into havoc, mayhem and indeed, into war."
He also stated that “As I have shown repeatedly, I am willing to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world, even if our differences may be profound,” Trump said. He added that “If Iran’s leadership rejects this olive branch ... we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure, drive Iranian oil exports to zero.”
President Trump further noted: “I am here today not merely to condemn the past choices of Iran’s leaders, but to offer them a new and a better path toward a much more hopeful future,” emphasizing that he is “willing to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world”.
He also underscored that he does indeed want a deal with Iran, but that “This is an offer that will not last forever; the time is right now for them to choose.”
Apart from the nuclear issue, President Trump also made remarks addressing the Persian Gulf naming issue: “There could be no sharper contrast with the path you have pursued on the Arabian Peninsula, than the disaster unfolding right across in the Gulf of Iran. Think of that, they wanted to name it that. I said, they're not going to let them do that. Do you mind if I stop that? I stopped it. We're not going to let that happen. While you have been constructing the world's tallest skyscrapers in Jeddah and Dubai, Tehran's 1979 landmarks are collapsing into rubble and dust.”
The U.S. Department of Treasury announced another round of sanctions against nearly two dozen firms reported to be operating in multiple jurisdictions in virtually every aspect of Iran’s international oil trade network.
Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent stated “Today’s action underscores our continued focus on intensifying pressure on every aspect of Iran’s oil trade, which the regime uses to fund its dangerous and destabilizing activities…The United States will continue targeting this primary source of revenue, so long as the regime continues its support for terrorism and proliferation of deadly weapons.”
Following the fourth round of talks between the U.S. and Iran, mediated by Oman, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi posted the following statement to X/Twitter:
“We completed another round of talks between Iran and the United States in Muscat today. The discussions included useful and original ideas reflecting a shared wish to reach an honorable agreement. The 5th round of talks will take place once both parties have consult their leaderships.”
After a fourth round of U.S.-Iran talks concluded in Oman, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reported to Iranian state TV that the talks had been “more serious and more direct” than on previous occasions. He continued that “The two sides have now a better understanding of each other’s positions. We can characterise the talks today as moving forward.”
He also added that “contradictory positions taken by the US in the media is not acceptable to us as they do not help the negotiations,” and specifically noted that, “Enrichment is an issue that Iran will not give up and there is no room for compromise on it. However, its dimensions, levels, or amounts might change for a period to allow confidence-building.”
In an interview with Kristen Welker of NBC News, President Trump, when asked whether the goal of talks with Iran is to limit its nuclear program or to achieve total dismantlement, the President stated “Total dismantlement…that’s all I’d accept. Now there’s a new theory going out there that Iran would be allowed to have civilian meaning to make electricity. But I say, they have so much oil what do they need it for…I think that I would be open to hearing it (referring to arguments allowing Iran to pursue civilian nuclear energy). You know, civilian energy it’s called. But, you know, civilian energy often leads to military wars and we don’t want to have them have a nuclear weapon. It’s a very simple deal.”
President Trump also stated in the interview that “I want Iran to be really successful, really great, really fantastic. The only thing they can’t have is a nuclear weapon. If they want to be successful, that’s okay. I want them to be so successful.”
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