Bold statement: Iran must give up enriched uranium and halt all production, or the nuclear standoff will only deepen. But here’s where it gets controversial: Tehran views zero enrichment as a red line and a violation of its rights under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
The United States has intensified pressure on Iran to strike a deal, while expanding its military presence in the Middle East, including sending two aircraft carriers—the region’s largest-ever warship among them.
To bolster security in the area, additional American naval forces are being deployed, said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a briefing in Slovakia. He noted that President Donald Trump favors diplomacy and a negotiated settlement over direct attack.
Trump’s top envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are scheduled to meet Iranian negotiators, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is traveling to Geneva.
“No one has ever closed a successful deal with Iran, but we’re going to try,” Rubio said.
Under the 2015 nuclear agreement, from which Trump later withdrew, Iran agreed to cap its nuclear activities and allow international inspections in exchange for the lifting of crippling sanctions. Ahead of the latest negotiations, Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC that Tehran has offered to dilute its stock of 60% enriched uranium as a sign of willingness to compromise.
Highly enriched uranium, approaching weapons-grade levels, fuels suspicions that Iran might be pursuing a nuclear weapon, a charge Tehran has repeatedly denied.
Takht-Ravanchi added that Iran is ready to discuss this and other aspects of its program if sanctions are on the table, though he did not specify whether all or some sanctions would be lifted. He also didn’t say whether Iran would consider exporting more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium.
Washington has pressed for a deal, but Netanyahu expressed “skepticism” during a recent White House meeting with Trump.
“I explained that any deal must include several components that are critical not only for Israel’s security but for global security as well,” Netanyahu stated.
One major Israeli demand is restricting Iran’s ballistic missile program, which has the potential to reach Israel. Tehran has so far declined to discuss its ballistic missile capabilities with United States officials.
Israel has also urged Iran to curb its support for regional proxy groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah, as part of any broader settlement.
