US Sets Firm Demands in Nuclear Negotiations with Iran

The ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran regarding the latter's controversial nuclear program are entering a critical phase. The fourth round of talks is set to take place in Muscat, Oman, with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi in attendance. Oman is acting as a mediator in these discussions, which have been marked by rising tensions and mutual threats between the two nations in recent years.

Originally scheduled for May 4 in Rome, this round of negotiations was postponed due to 'logistical reasons', although experts attributed the delay to differences in the negotiating positions of both parties.

This new meeting comes just ahead of US President Donald Trump's scheduled trip to the Middle East, where he will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from Tuesday to Thursday.

The primary issue at hand is the usage of Iran's nuclear technology. While Tehran insists that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, Western governments are increasingly concerned about the potential development of nuclear weapons. Recent statements from Iranian officials have further fueled these fears, with calls for nuclear armament as a means of military deterrence. Trump has warned of severe military repercussions if a satisfactory agreement is not reached.

In 2015, Iran entered into the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) after extensive negotiations with multiple world powers, including China, Russia, the US, France, Germany, and the UK, agreeing to limit its nuclear activities. However, in 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the agreement and reinstated stringent sanctions, leading Iran to abandon its commitments under the pact.

As the negotiations resume, Witkoff is reportedly bringing a set of stringent demands to the table, asserting that Iran must completely dismantle its uranium enrichment program. He expressed that the US position is clear: Iran should not engage in uranium enrichment, possess centrifuges, or have any materials that could enable the development of a nuclear weapon, effectively calling for a full disarmament of Iran's nuclear capabilities.

Currently, Iran is enriching uranium to a purity of up to 60%, while weapons-grade enrichment requires a level exceeding 90%. Under the terms of the original JCPOA, Iran was permitted to enrich uranium to a maximum of 3.67% and maintain a stockpile of no more than 300 kilograms.

Insiders suggest that it is unlikely that Tehran will acquiesce to US demands for a complete cessation of its enrichment activities, given that the nuclear program is deeply ingrained as a point of national pride within the Islamic Republic. The Iranian leadership links the potential outcome of these negotiations to both a reduction in regional military tensions and the lifting of economic sanctions.

In recent years, amid increasing isolation, Iran has sought to strengthen its ties with China and Russia through strategic partnerships. With limited access to international financial systems, Iran continues to rely heavily on oil exports, primarily to China, as its main source of revenue.