Iran must end uranium enrichment to reach nuclear deal: US

• U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said Iran must eliminate all nuclear enrichment to reach a deal with the United States. Witkoff shared his remarks on X.
• In the past, international law permitted Iran to enrich uranium for civilian energy purposes below military enrichment levels. However, some experts alleged that the Middle Eastern nation sought to enrich uranium for military use in violation of such laws.
• The next round of discussions between Iran and the U.S. will continue in Oman on Saturday, April 19.

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A top negotiator for the U.S. said Tehran must completely abandon its uranium enrichment program to reach any nuclear agreement. These remarks come as the U.S. prepares for further nuclear deal talks with Iran on Saturday, April 19.

What did Witkoff say about Iran’s nuclear program?

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said Tuesday, April 15, that there must be a framework for peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East.

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“Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program,” Witkoff wrote on X. He added it must be a tough, fair deal that endures.

“A deal with Iran will only be completed if it is a Trump deal. Any final arrangement must set a framework for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East — meaning that Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program. It is imperative for…

— Office of the Special Envoy to the Middle East (@SE_MiddleEast) April 15, 2025

However, Witkoff’s statement contradicted his previous remarks to Fox News on Monday, April 14. He said that the U.S. sought a deal requiring Iran to limit nuclear enrichment instead of fully eliminating it. During the interview, he said Iran didn’t need “to enrich past 3.67%.”

According to the Arms Control Association, an enrichment level of 3.67% is typical for fueling nuclear power reactors. Experts indicated that maintaining this level would extend the time for Iran to purify or filter material to 90%, the optimal level for producing nuclear weapons.

What have past deals with Iran stipulated?

The Obama administration accepted an enrichment cap of 3.67% as a key to a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. However, the deal allowed Iran to increase enrichment over time. By 2031, the deal would permit Iran to enrich uranium to any purity level up to and including weapons-grade.

Iran has since refused to give up its ability to enrich uranium in past negotiations. It said the nation needs a nuclear program for the production of electricity and medical research.

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How has the US enhanced its presence in the Middle East?

A second U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, arrived in the Middle East to support the USS Harry Truman in the Arabian Sea. The vessel will aid operations against Houthi militants, although President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. could launch direct airstrikes on Iran if the two nations don’t reach a nuclear deal.