Tehran [Iran], May 23 (ANI): Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has made it clear that Tehran will not agree to any deal with the United States that requires the Islamic Republic to cease uranium enrichment, just ahead of the fifth round of indirect US-Iran nuclear talks scheduled for Friday in Rome. These negotiations, facilitated by Oman, aim to revive efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting US-imposed economic sanctions.
“Zero enrichment = we do NOT have a deal,” Araqchi said Thursday in an interview with national Iranian television. He emphasized that Iran would not retreat from its nuclear rights, asserting, “Our nuclear program—including enrichment—must continue. However, we are ready to adopt confidence-building and transparency measures and accept broader monitoring, because we are confident in the peaceful nature of our program,” he said, according to state media outlet IRNA.
The United States remains concerned that Iran’s nuclear activities could serve as a cover for developing nuclear weapons—an allegation Tehran has consistently denied, maintaining that its nuclear ambitions are strictly civilian.
Amidst renewed tension, CNN reported on May 20 that Israeli authorities are allegedly preparing a possible attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. In response, Araqchi warned of decisive retaliation against any Israeli “adventurism” and confirmed that Iran had formally notified the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of its intent to take “special measures” to defend its nuclear sites and national interests. A letter outlining Iran’s position was sent to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Security Council President Evangelos C. Sekeris, and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
In a strongly worded post on X, Araqchi wrote, “Threats from the rogue Israeli regime are nothing new. But the recent leak citing US officials as divulging Israeli plans for an unlawful attack on Iran and its nuclear facilities is alarming and warrants immediate and serious condemnation from the UN Security Council and the IAEA.”
He also called on the international community to pressure Israel to dismantle its undeclared nuclear arsenal and commit to global disarmament treaties.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to align their strategy on the Iranian nuclear issue. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the two leaders “talked about a potential deal with Iran, which the President believes is moving along in the right direction.” Trump also expressed condolences to Netanyahu over the recent killing of two Israeli diplomats in Washington, D.C.
The upcoming Rome talks mark the fifth round of indirect dialogue since April 12, with three prior sessions held in Muscat. Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and Policy Planning Director Michael Anton will represent the US at Friday’s meeting.
CNN’s May 20 report also suggested that US intelligence has picked up signs of Israeli preparations for a strike, although it remains unclear whether Israel has finalized any decision. Officials cited internal disagreements in Washington regarding how likely such a strike might be, noting that Israel’s action may depend heavily on the outcome of US negotiations with Tehran.
President Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran should diplomatic efforts to reach a new nuclear deal fail. In a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sent in mid-March, Trump reportedly set a 60-day deadline for progress, according to a source familiar with the communication.
Khamenei, in remarks earlier this week, expressed skepticism about any productive outcome from the talks, calling the US demand for a halt to uranium enrichment a “big mistake.” Iran continues to assert that its right to enrich uranium is guaranteed under the UN’s Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
On Sunday, US envoy Steve Witkoff reiterated Washington’s uncompromising stance. “We have one very, very clear red line, and that is enrichment. We cannot allow even 1% of an enrichment capability,” he said in an interview with ABC News. “Everything begins… with a deal that does not include enrichment… because enrichment enables weaponization.”
In response, Araqchi posted on X, “If the US is interested in ensuring that Iran will not have nuclear weapons, a deal is within reach… Enrichment in Iran, however, will continue with or without a deal.”
The original Iran nuclear agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was signed in July 2015 by Iran and several world powers, including the US. It limited Iran’s enrichment to 3.67% and capped its uranium stockpile at 300 kilograms. That deal collapsed in 2018 when President Trump withdrew the US unilaterally. Iran subsequently began increasing its uranium enrichment, now reaching up to 60% purity—just below weapons-grade levels.
As the next round of talks approaches, the core disagreement remains stark: Washington insists on zero enrichment, while Tehran demands the right to continue its nuclear program under international monitoring. Whether any compromise can be reached remains to be seen. (ANI)
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