U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Affirms Stance Against Iranian Uranium Enrichment
Washington's commitment to prevent Tehran from uranium enrichment continues amidst ongoing diplomatic discussions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized on Tuesday that the administration under President Donald Trump will not allow Iran to engage in any form of uranium enrichment.
Rubio made these remarks during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting, asserting that negotiations could lead to an agreement permitting Iran to develop a peaceful civilian nuclear program without uranium enrichment, though he acknowledged that achieving such an agreement would not be straightforward.
Since April 12, the U.S. and Iran have engaged in four rounds of talks brokered by Oman, aimed at establishing a new agreement concerning Tehran's nuclear program to replace the 2015 nuclear deal.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei expressed skepticism about the likelihood of fruitful negotiations, dismissing U.S. claims regarding the necessity of halting uranium enrichment as "nonsense."
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi stated that nuclear talks with the U.S. would yield no results if Washington insists on a complete halt to Iran's uranium enrichment activities.
The U.S. special envoy, Steve Biegun, reiterated that any agreement with Iran would need to include provisions to stop uranium enrichment, which poses a potential pathway to nuclear weapon development.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.
President Trump recently suggested that a new nuclear agreement with Iran is nearing completion and urged Iranian authorities to act swiftly, warning of severe consequences if a settlement is not reached.
Rubio reiterated that the administration is offering Iran a pathway to prosperity and peace that would allow for economic development and the establishment of a civil nuclear energy program without resorting to enrichment.
Highlighting the critical nature of Iran's enrichment capabilities, Rubio noted that once the knowledge of uranium enrichment is acquired, it can be escalated relatively easily over time.
He underscored that Iran's enrichment is not merely a matter of national pride, but a strategic tool for deterrence, which he believes forms the core of the current negotiations.
Rubio indicated that discussions have largely centered on Iran's enrichment capabilities and Tehran's insistence on maintaining these capabilities.
He also mentioned the potential for European powers—France, the UK, and Germany—to activate a 'snapback' mechanism to reinstate U.N. sanctions automatically if Iran violates the terms of any future agreement.
This mechanism is part of the 2015 deal, with a deadline for activation by October 2025.
Since his return to the White House, Trump has reinstated the 'maximum pressure' policy, which involves imposing extensive sanctions on Iran.
Rubio reported that the administration has sanctioned 72 entities, 14 individuals, 74 vessels, and 18 other entities related to Iran's activities, including two oil facilities in China and 13 additional vessels.
Rubio indicated that derivatives of maximum pressure appear to be yielding results, noting a decline in Iran's capacity to finance activities deemed destabilizing throughout the region.
However, he confirmed that non-nuclear sanctions related to terrorism sponsorship and missile violations will remain in place, emphasizing the ongoing concerns surrounding Iran's support for regional groups like Hezbollah and Houthi militants.
He indicated that the groundwork for negotiations has been catalyzed by Iran's urgent desire to engage with the U.S. following a shift in the political landscape.
The United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal during Trump's first term, which had set stringent limits on Iran's uranium enrichment in exchange for a gradual easing of international sanctions.
Subsequently, Iran responded by intensifying its enrichment activities under the administration of President Joe Biden, reaching unprecedented levels.
Rubio made these remarks during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting, asserting that negotiations could lead to an agreement permitting Iran to develop a peaceful civilian nuclear program without uranium enrichment, though he acknowledged that achieving such an agreement would not be straightforward.
Since April 12, the U.S. and Iran have engaged in four rounds of talks brokered by Oman, aimed at establishing a new agreement concerning Tehran's nuclear program to replace the 2015 nuclear deal.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei expressed skepticism about the likelihood of fruitful negotiations, dismissing U.S. claims regarding the necessity of halting uranium enrichment as "nonsense."
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi stated that nuclear talks with the U.S. would yield no results if Washington insists on a complete halt to Iran's uranium enrichment activities.
The U.S. special envoy, Steve Biegun, reiterated that any agreement with Iran would need to include provisions to stop uranium enrichment, which poses a potential pathway to nuclear weapon development.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.
President Trump recently suggested that a new nuclear agreement with Iran is nearing completion and urged Iranian authorities to act swiftly, warning of severe consequences if a settlement is not reached.
Rubio reiterated that the administration is offering Iran a pathway to prosperity and peace that would allow for economic development and the establishment of a civil nuclear energy program without resorting to enrichment.
Highlighting the critical nature of Iran's enrichment capabilities, Rubio noted that once the knowledge of uranium enrichment is acquired, it can be escalated relatively easily over time.
He underscored that Iran's enrichment is not merely a matter of national pride, but a strategic tool for deterrence, which he believes forms the core of the current negotiations.
Rubio indicated that discussions have largely centered on Iran's enrichment capabilities and Tehran's insistence on maintaining these capabilities.
He also mentioned the potential for European powers—France, the UK, and Germany—to activate a 'snapback' mechanism to reinstate U.N. sanctions automatically if Iran violates the terms of any future agreement.
This mechanism is part of the 2015 deal, with a deadline for activation by October 2025.
Since his return to the White House, Trump has reinstated the 'maximum pressure' policy, which involves imposing extensive sanctions on Iran.
Rubio reported that the administration has sanctioned 72 entities, 14 individuals, 74 vessels, and 18 other entities related to Iran's activities, including two oil facilities in China and 13 additional vessels.
Rubio indicated that derivatives of maximum pressure appear to be yielding results, noting a decline in Iran's capacity to finance activities deemed destabilizing throughout the region.
However, he confirmed that non-nuclear sanctions related to terrorism sponsorship and missile violations will remain in place, emphasizing the ongoing concerns surrounding Iran's support for regional groups like Hezbollah and Houthi militants.
He indicated that the groundwork for negotiations has been catalyzed by Iran's urgent desire to engage with the U.S. following a shift in the political landscape.
The United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal during Trump's first term, which had set stringent limits on Iran's uranium enrichment in exchange for a gradual easing of international sanctions.
Subsequently, Iran responded by intensifying its enrichment activities under the administration of President Joe Biden, reaching unprecedented levels.
