The dispute over uranium enrichment remains a central obstacle in negotiations between Iran and the United States. While the US demands that any deal exclude Iran’s ability to enrich uranium, Tehran insists it will continue enrichment with or without an agreement.
Iran’s nuclear program has been a flashpoint for years, with uranium enrichment at the heart of international concerns about possible weaponization. The 2015 deal limited enrichment levels in exchange for sanctions relief, but after the US withdrew from the agreement under President Donald Trump, Iran resumed higher enrichment activities. Current negotiations seek to find common ground, yet diverging red lines continue to impede progress.
US Red Line: No Uranium Enrichment Allowed
As mentioned in statements from Steve Witkoff, the special envoy appointed by former President Trump, the United States has set a “very, very clear red line” against uranium enrichment by Iran.
Witkoff reiterated on abc’s “This Week” program that no enrichment capability, even at one percent, would be acceptable to the US The envoy emphasized that enrichment is seen as a direct pathway to weaponization, which the US cannot allow. According to Reuters, Witkoff highlighted that any deal must start from the premise of zero enrichment to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
This uncompromising stance underscores the US government’s prioritization of halting Iran’s enrichment activities as an essential safeguard against proliferation. Witkoff expressed cautious optimism about renewed talks in Europe but maintained that enrichment must be excluded from any final agreement.
Iran’s Firm Stance on Continuing Enrichment
Iran’s response to the US position was swift and resolute. As indicated by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi dismissed the US demand as “unrealistic” and asserted that enrichment would continue regardless of the outcome of negotiations.
Araqchi criticized Witkoff’s remarks as disconnected from the realities of the talks and reaffirmed that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful but its right to enrich uranium is non-negotiable.
Araqchi further stated that if the United States is genuinely interested in preventing nuclear weapons, a deal remains achievable, but enrichment will not be part of the concessions. The Iranian position highlights a fundamental disagreement about the scope and conditions of the deal, complicating diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement.
Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts Amid High Tensions
Negotiations between the two sides continue to face significant hurdles. The 2015 deal, abandoned by the United States in 2018 under Trump, had placed restrictions on uranium enrichment in exchange for lifting sanctions. Since the US withdrawal, Iran has progressively increased its enrichment level, reaching 60 percent—well above the 3.67 percent limit imposed by the agreement but below weapons-grade levels.
As reported by NDTV, Iranian officials have reiterated their openness to serious dialogue and rebuilding trust with European powers, who remain involved in the diplomatic process and weigh options such as reinstating sanctions. Iran’s atomic energy agency chief Mohammad Eslami emphasized that enrichment is under the supervision of the UN nuclear watchdog and insisted Tehran does not seek nuclear militarization.
Meanwhile, US President Trump has urged Iran to act quickly, signaling that the window for a deal may be closing. However, Araqchi has publicly stated that Tehran has not yet received a formal US proposal, illustrating the communication gap and lingering mistrust between the parties.
