us-seeks-to-limit-iran-nuclear-plan-not-end-it-witkoff

The United States is looking to curb Iran’s nuclear capabilities rather than dismantle its programme altogether, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said on Monday, indicating a more restrained approach than that demanded by Israel.

 

Witkoff pointed to a key clause in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — signed during the Obama administration — which capped uranium enrichment at 3.67 per cent. That deal was later abandoned by current US President Donald Trump, who has consistently criticised it.

 

“Iran does not need to enrich past 3.67 per cent. In some circumstances. They’re at 60 per cent, in other circumstances 20 per cent. That cannot be,” Witkoff told reporters. “You do not need to run — as they claim — a civil nuclear programme where you’re enriching past 3.67 per cent.”

 

Witkoff’s remarks suggest Washington is seeking limits on enrichment levels and increased oversight, rather than completely dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, as has been proposed by Israel.

 

The next round of talks with Iran, he said, will prioritise “verification on the enrichment programme and then ultimately verification on weaponisation.”

 

“That includes missiles — the type of missiles that they have stockpiled there. And it includes the trigger for a bomb,” he added.

 

Despite tensions, Witkoff underlined Washington’s preference for diplomacy: “We’re here to see if we can solve this situation diplomatically and with dialogue. The first meeting was positive, constructive, compelling.”

 

On the other side, Tehran has confirmed its participation in the upcoming round of discussions with the United States. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that negotiations would be held in Oman’s capital on April 19, following indirect talks in Muscat over the weekend. However, earlier statements from Dutch and Italian foreign ministers had suggested that the talks would take place in Rome.

 

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the threat posed by Iran and its proxies in a call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the State Department confirmed.

 

“They agreed on the importance of counterterrorism cooperation and strengthening NATO,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.