WASHINGTON — U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Sunday reiterated that any future agreement between the United States and Iran must include a firm commitment from Tehran to halt uranium enrichment — a stance that immediately drew strong criticism from Iranian officials and signaled ongoing tension in the revived nuclear negotiations.
Speaking at a press briefing in Washington, Witkoff emphasized that President Donald Trump considers uranium enrichment by Iran a “red line” in ongoing talks aimed at restoring a nuclear deal, years after the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) under Trump’s first term.
“There will be no deal unless Iran agrees to stop enriching uranium — period,” said Witkoff, who was recently sworn in by Trump at the White House to oversee diplomatic negotiations in the Middle East. “This is not just about politics; this is about global security and preventing a nuclear-armed Iran.”Iran Pushes Back
In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a sharp rebuke, calling the U.S. demands “unrealistic, outdated, and in violation of international law.” Iranian officials maintain that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), they have a legal right to pursue peaceful nuclear technology, including uranium enrichment for civilian energy purposes.
“The Islamic Republic will not accept any agreement that undermines its sovereign right to peaceful nuclear development,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani. “The era of unilateral dictates is over.”
A Long Road Ahead
The exchange underscores how far apart both sides remain, even as behind-the-scenes negotiations have reportedly resumed with mediation by European powers and indirect contact facilitated by Qatar and Oman. The talks aim to avoid a potential military escalation in the region, especially following recent tensions involving Iran’s regional proxies and U.S. allies.
Despite the growing pressure, Witkoff expressed optimism about the direction of the negotiations. “We’re closer to a framework than people think,” he said, hinting that the Trump administration is hopeful an agreement could be finalized within months — possibly before the 2025 UN General Assembly in September.
President Trump himself hinted last week during a campaign rally that the U.S. is “getting very close to a strong deal that stops Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon.”
Broader Regional Context
The nuclear talks are unfolding amid growing instability in the Middle East, including increased attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria by Iran-backed militias and ongoing maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf. Israeli officials have also voiced concern over Iran’s nuclear trajectory, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warning that “time is running out to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions.”
In 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had enriched uranium to purity levels of up to 60%, just short of weapons-grade, fueling international alarm.
The Biden administration, before Trump’s re-election, had attempted to re-enter the JCPOA framework but failed to bridge the growing gap in expectations. Trump’s return to the presidency in January 2025 marked a hard pivot back to maximum pressure tactics, including new sanctions and diplomatic isolation efforts.
What Comes Next?
While Witkoff’s comments align with Trump’s longstanding policy of “zero enrichment,” experts warn that Iran is unlikely to agree to such terms unless it receives major sanctions relief and security guarantees, neither of which appear imminent under the current U.S. stance.
Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, commented: “If the U.S. insists on zero enrichment, this process could break down quickly. The Iranians have domestic political constraints too — not just the Americans.”
Still, the Witkoff-led negotiations mark a significant shift in Trump’s second-term foreign policy focus, indicating that despite tough rhetoric, diplomacy remains on the table — for now.