Netanyahu Demands Iran Drop All Enriched Uranium
Netanyahu sets 3 strict conditions for any Iran nuclear deal, demanding zero uranium enrichment as US-Iran talks resume in Switzerland.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that as part of any nuclear deal with Tehran, the US must require Iran to give up all its enriched uranium and prevent it from enriching further.
In a speech in Jerusalem on Sunday, he outlined several of his conditions, including that "all enriched material must leave Iran" and that there should be "no enrichment capability."
His comments come as Iranian and US officials prepare for a second round of talks in Switzerland on Tuesday.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, told Tehran that if the US is willing to discuss lifting sanctions, Iran will consider compromises to reach a nuclear deal.
However, Iran considers zero enrichment a red line and a violation of its rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The US has pressured Iran to reach a deal and has increased its military capabilities in the Middle East, sending two aircraft carriers, including its largest warship ever, to the region.
Read Also
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a news conference in Slovakia that additional US Navy forces would deter any potential threat to the region.
He said US President Donald Trump prefers "diplomacy and a negotiated settlement" rather than directly attacking Iran.
Trump's top envoys, Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, are scheduled to meet with Iranian negotiators, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is traveling to Geneva.
Rubio said, "No one has ever successfully reached a deal with Iran, but we will try."
Under the 2015 nuclear deal, from which Trump withdrew, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities and lift economic sanctions in exchange for allowing international inspections.
Before the new round of talks, Takht-Ravanchi told that Tehran had offered to dilute its 60%-enriched uranium as proof of its willingness to compromise.
Highly enriched uranium, close to weapons-grade levels, has fueled suspicions that the Islamic Republic is moving toward developing nuclear weapons, which it has consistently denied.
Software Services
Takht-Ravanchi said, "If they are willing to talk about the ban, we are willing to talk about it and other matters related to our program." He did not confirm whether this meant lifting all or some of the ban.
He also did not say whether Iran would agree to ship more than 400 kg of highly enriched uranium out of the country.
Washington is pushing for a deal with Tehran, but Netanyahu said he expressed "doubts" to Trump during a recent meeting at the White House.
Netanyahu said, "I said that if there is to be a deal, it must include several things... that we believe are important not only for Israel's security, but also for the security of the world."
One of Israel's main demands is to halt Iran's development of ballistic missiles, which have been used to attack Israel.
Tehran has so far refused to discuss its ballistic missile program with US officials.
Israel has previously called on Iran to reduce its support for proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah in the Middle East.
Thank you for reading this content.
Thank you for reading this content.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
