US-Iran nuke talks to renew in Rome amid dispute over uranium enrichment

The United States and Iran are set to renew oblique nuclear talks on May 23, in Rome, marking the fifth spherical of talks mediated by Oman since April, based on an announcement by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi.

Although the US and Iran haven’t had formal diplomatic ties for many years, they’ve continued oblique talks to attempt to revive a nuclear deal. The intention is to restrict Iran’s nuclear program in return for relieving powerful US sanctions. However, main disagreements stay, particularly over Iran’s uranium enrichment.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday reiterated Tehran’s uncompromising stance, declaring that Iran won’t ever halt its uranium enrichment program. “I have said it before, and I repeat it again: uranium enrichment in Iran will continue—with or without an agreement,” Araghchi acknowledged on state tv.

This comes at the same time as Iran confirmed its participation within the upcoming Rome talks. Araghchi maintained that Iran stays dedicated to diplomacy however is not going to concede to what it sees as extreme calls for. “We will always be present at the negotiating table… but we stand against excessive demands and rhetoric,” he mentioned.

Since the US withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) below then-President Donald Trump, Iran has steadily escalated its nuclear program.

The 2015 deal capped uranium enrichment at 3.67 per cent and restricted Iran’s stockpile to 300 kilograms. However, since 2018, Tehran has enriched uranium to as excessive as 60 per cent, only a technical step away from weapons-grade 90 per cent purity.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei additionally solid doubt on the result of the negotiations, saying, “I don’t think nuclear talks with the US will bring results.”

The US, for its half, has but to formally verify its attendance in Rome. American officers, together with Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have insisted that any new deal should embrace Iran giving up uranium enrichment — a place Iran has categorically rejected.