Iran-US 5th round nuclear talk: highest level engagement amidst increasing tension in Rome
Iran and the United States are operating the fifth round of nuclear dialogue in Rome, Italy today. The meeting follows a public disagreement during the last round at Muscat on Tehran’s uranium enrichment program.The purpose of the meeting is to address the increasing tension between countries.The ongoing talks, which began in April, marks the highest level of engagement between the US and Iran as Washington withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal during the first term of US President Donald Trump in 2015.Since returning to office on 20 January, Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran. However, he has supported the ongoing dialogue, also warned that military action remains an alternative if diplomatic efforts are not successful.Iran is expecting a new deal to reduce restrictions, which have severely affected its economy.US Middle East envoy Steve Witcoff said Washington “Iran cannot authorize even one percent uranium enrichment”. This attitude has been strongly rejected by Tehran. Iranian officials argue that under the Non-Excise Treaty (NPT), they have the legal right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
The major differences remain:
Prior to the scheduled meeting, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi admitted that the “fundamental difference” still exists between Tehran and Washington. However, he also said that Iran indicated the desire to compromise, saying that Iran is open to allow more inspection of its nuclear facilities.Observing these differences, he said, “If the United States wants to prevent Iran from enriching uranium, we will not have an agreement.”The meeting is leading beyond two major events: the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting for June and the end of the 2015 nuclear deal in October, the joint comprehensive action plan (JCPOA).JCPOA aims to prevent Iran from developing atomic bombs, a goal by Western countries of chasing it. However, Tehran denied this.In return for limiting its nuclear program, Iran was relieved of international sanctions. However, the agreement was reduced in 2018 when President Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the deal.In response, Iran increased its nuclear activities. It is now enriching uranium up to 60 percent, which is much higher than the range of 3.67 percent by the deal, but still less than 90 percent to make atomic bombs.
Iran’s firm Rukh:
Tehran’s experts said that Iran is unlikely to retreat.Political scientist and former nuclear advisor Mohammad Marandi said, “It is simple; if the US wants Iran stops enriching uranium, there may be no deal.”Iran’s nuclear power organization says that around 17,000 people work in the country’s nuclear industry, similar to other countries that enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.Its spokesperson, Behruz Kamalwandi said, “Countries such as Netherlands, Belgium, South Korea, Brazil and Japan rich without placing nuclear weapons (uranium).”Tension between Iran and Israel, which is supported by the US, is a major issue in dialogue.In the letter to the United Nations, Iran’s Foreign Minister wrote: “We believe that the US government will also be involved in any attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear amenities by the Zioni regime, and will be borne by the US government.”The White House said that President Trump “discussed” with the recent murder of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and two Israel Embassy employees in Washington about Iran.
