U.S. sets red line on Iran uranium enrichment as talks face hurdles

The U.S. says any deal with Iran must ban uranium enrichment. Tehran says enrichment will not stop. Both sides appear far from an agreement.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that any agreement with Iran must include a full ban on uranium enrichment. His comments, made during an interview on ABC’s This Week, drew immediate criticism from Tehran.

“We have one very clear red line, and that is enrichment. We cannot allow even 1%,” Witkoff said. He argued that enrichment enables weaponisation and must be excluded from any deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi responded through the semi-official Tasnim news agency, calling Witkoff’s view “completely distant from reality.” He said enrichment is non-negotiable and will continue.

Witkoff, however, remained hopeful, suggesting that new talks could take place in Europe this week. “We hope it will lead to real positivity,” he said.

Araqchi confirmed that a new round of talks is expected soon, though no details were given.

President Donald Trump added pressure, saying on Thursday that a deal was near, but warned on Friday that “something bad” could happen if Iran delays. Tehran, however, said it has not received any formal U.S. proposal.

During Trump’s first term, the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. The current standoff suggests that any new agreement will face steep challenges.

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