Officials from Iran and the United States are set to meet in Rome this Friday to continue their discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program. This announcement comes from Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, even as tensions rise over Iran’s uranium enrichment activities.
The ongoing talks are a response to the conflicting positions held by both nations. The U.S. is pushing for Iran to not only scale back its nuclear program but to halt uranium enrichment altogether. However, Iran has firmly rejected this demand, stating that it is not open for negotiation.
Uranium enrichment is the process that can be used to create nuclear fuel, and Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has made it clear that Iran does not require permission from the U.S. to enrich uranium. He criticized the U.S. stance, calling it "nonsense" to suggest that Iran cannot enrich uranium.
The U.S. has emphasized that it views uranium enrichment as a critical issue. Steve Witkoff, the lead negotiator for the U.S., labeled it a "red line," asserting that even a small amount of enrichment capability is unacceptable. In contrast, Iran insists that its right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes is non-negotiable.
While the U.S. proposes that Iran can utilize nuclear reactors for energy by importing already enriched uranium, Iran maintains that domestic enrichment is essential for its sovereignty and energy needs. Iran has repeatedly denied any intention to develop nuclear weapons.
Tensions have been heightened in recent years, especially after former President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018. This agreement had previously limited Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. Since then, the U.S. has imposed numerous sanctions on Iran, aiming to curb its nuclear ambitions.
As the diplomatic talks continue, the two sides remain far apart on key issues. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has indicated that there is no scenario in which Iran would abandon its enrichment program. He expressed frustration over the inconsistencies in U.S. statements, suggesting that public and private negotiations are not aligned.
Despite the challenges, the upcoming talks in Rome represent a critical opportunity for both nations to address their differences. It remains to be seen if they can find common ground on this contentious issue.