Talks between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program have now moved out of the Middle East. According to an media report on Monday, the next round of negotiations between the two countries is scheduled to take place in Rome this Saturday (April 19). Experts believe this could turn out to be one of the most important deals in recent times.
Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog is expected to visit Iran later this week. During the visit, discussions may focus on allowing inspectors better access to Iran’s nuclear facilities.
US issues direct warning to Iran
The US and Iran have been trying to reach a nuclear agreement for nearly half a century. US President Donald Trump had repeatedly warned that if a deal isn’t reached, the U.S. would not hesitate to carry out airstrikes to destroy Iran’s nuclear sites. On the other hand, Iranian officials claim they have enriched uranium close to weapons-grade levels and are capable of making nuclear weapons if necessary.
Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, stated that Italy responded positively to a request from Oman, who is playing a mediator’s role between the two countries. He added that Italy welcomes efforts that lead to peaceful solutions, especially on critical issues like nuclear weapons.
While the US and China have not made any official comments yet, Oman, which hosted the first round of talks last Saturday in Muscat, is expected to continue its role as a neutral mediator in the upcoming negotiations.
Two new sanctions imposed on Iran
On Monday, the United Kingdom added a new organization and an individual to its growing list of sanctions against Iran. The UK has imposed sanctions on the Foxtrot Network and Rawa Majid, citing their involvement in activities that support serious organized crimes either in the UK or other countries.
British authorities stated that these actions are part of their ongoing efforts to curb international criminal networks and hold those accountable who pose a threat to global security.
What kind of a ‘nuclear program’ are we talking about?
Trump has made it very clear: he will not accept a nuclear-armed Iran. Over the past few years, tensions have grown, especially since Trump pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear agreement, known as the JCPOA. Since then, Iran has been enriching and stockpiling uranium at record levels, drawing serious concerns from the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
A U.N. report released on March 3 stated, “Iran is the only country without nuclear weapons that is enriching uranium to such high levels, which raises serious concerns about potential weapon development.”
Iran, however, maintains that its nuclear program is only for peaceful energy production. Still, the IAEA reports that Iran’s uranium enrichment has reached 60 per cent purity — much higher than the 3.67 per cent limit set in the original deal, and alarmingly close to the 90 per cent purity level needed for making nuclear weapons.
Trump has issued several warnings that if Iran doesn’t meet U.S. expectations, military action is on the table. “I’d rather see a deal with Iran that avoids the nuclear issue altogether — that would be better than bombing them,” Trump told the New York Post in February.
This kind of pressure seems to be working, according to Ryan Bohl, a senior analyst with the RANE Network. He believes Iran is now more willing to sit down and talk.
“The Iranians are likely hoping to find some middle ground for talks that would delay or prevent any military strikes — especially since President Trump has hinted those could come within months,” Bohl explained.
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