Iran Nuances reports on X that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reiterated: “No matter how much [The US] repeat it, our positions won't change. Our stance is clear: we will continue enrichment." The comments, in line with similar comments Araghchi made yesterday, are likely to further dent expectations that a nuclear accord can be struck in the short term.
- Araghchi's latest statement came after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed President Trump's negotiator Steve Witkoff's comments to ABC that Iran must cease all enrichment activity to facilitate a new nuclear accord: “We cannot have that because enrichment enables weaponization, and we will not allow a bomb to get here.”
- Witkoff comment appeared to pivot from recent reports suggesting that the Trump administration may be willing to accept Iran enriching uranium for its civilian nuclear programme, below levels considered viable to produce a nuclear weapon.
- The New York Times reported yesterday: “Several weeks ago Mr. Witkoff suggested he might be willing to accept a deal in which Iran could enrich uranium up to 3.67 percent, the level set in the 2015 accord, which is suitable for civilian purposes. That contributed to an internal debate inside the White House and his position has hardened since.”
- Reuters reported earlier: "Nuclear talks between Iran and the United States "will lead nowhere" if Washington insists that Tehran drop its uranium enrichment activity to zero, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takhtravanchi was quoted by state media on Monday as saying."