Iran and the United States are set to begin a fifth round of high-stakes nuclear talks in Rome on Friday amid growing skepticism in Tehran about the chances of a deal as Washington hardens its position. <\/p>\n
The sources said Iran\u2019s participation in the Rome talks is solely to gauge Washington\u2019s latest stance rather than pursue a potential breakthrough. <\/p>\n
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran\u2019s red lines before he departed for Rome on Friday. <\/p>\n
\u201cFiguring out the path to a deal is not rocket science,\u201d he posted on X before his flight. \u201cZero nuclear weapons = we DO have a deal. Zero enrichment = we do NOT have a deal.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Trump administration has demanded Iran stop all uranium enrichment activity, which lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff says \u201cenables weaponization.\u201d Uranium, a key nuclear fuel, can be used to build a bomb if enriched to high levels. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and says it is willing to commit not to enrich uranium to weapons-grade as part of an agreement. <\/p>\n
Speaking Thursday, Araghchi said Iran was open to enhanced monitoring by international inspectors but would not relinquish its right to pursue nuclear energy, including uranium enrichment. Washington is offering to wind back crippling economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for de-nuclearization. <\/p>\n
The US had previously sent mixed signals about whether Iran would be allowed to enrich uranium, but in recent weeks it has hardened its stance, insisting that no enrichment will be permitted. <\/p>\n
That shift has prompted officials in Tehran to question Washington\u2019s commitment to a deal, as Iran has repeatedly said enrichment is a red line in negotiations. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe media statements and negotiating behavior of the United States has widely disappointed policy-making circles in Tehran,\u201d the sources said in a joint message. \u201cFrom the perspective of decision-makers in Tehran, when the US knows that accepting zero enrichment in Iran is impossible and yet insists on it, it is a sign that the US is fundamentally not seeking an agreement and is using the negotiations as a tool to intensify pressure.\u201d <\/p>\n
Initially, the sources noted, some Iranian officials believed Washington might seek a \u201cwin-win\u201d compromise. However, a consensus has now emerged that the Trump administration is steering discussions toward a deadlock. <\/p>\n
The sources said that although neither the US nor Iran wants to leave the negotiating table, the position of the US is making the talks unproductive and formal meetings are unlikely to continue much longer. <\/p>\n
They said that Tehran no longer takes seriously US efforts to distance itself from Israel\u2019s hardline stance on Iran, and it sees proposals made by the American side as following the agenda of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has insisted that no enrichment be allowed in Iran. <\/p>\n
On Friday, Iranian delegates in Rome aim to probe whether the US has revised its approach. The sources suggested that Tehran will likely take a tougher stance unless the US offers tangible concessions. <\/p>\n
Washington has kept up the pressure on Iran with fresh sanctions and threats of war even as diplomatic talks continue. <\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the US State Department announced new measures, identifying Iran\u2019s construction sector as being \u201ccontrolled directly or indirectly\u201d by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and 10 strategic materials that it said Iran is using in connection with its nuclear, military or ballistic missile programs. <\/p>\n
\u201cWith these determinations, the United States has broader sanctions authorities to prevent Iran from acquiring strategic materials for its construction sector under IRGC control and its proliferation programs,\u201d State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. <\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s foreign ministry spokesperson criticized US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the move, calling it \u201cas outrageous as it is unlawful and inhuman.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThe US\u2019s consecutive rounds of sanctions only reinforce our people\u2019s deeply held belief that the American decision makers are set to make every malign effort to hinder Iran\u2019s development & progress. These sanctions, announced on the eve of the fifth round of Iran-US indirect talks, further put to question the American willingness & seriousness for diplomacy,\u201d Baqaei wrote on X. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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