//U.S. Shifts Tone in Iran Nuclear Talks: Focus Now on Verification, Not Dismantlement//
Middle East Politics & Global Security
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| Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi/ |
In a significant shift in diplomatic strategy, the Trump administration’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff announced that ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran would emphasize verification measures over demands for full dismantlement of Tehran’s nuclear program.
Witkoff's remarks signal a softer, more pragmatic approach as the United States seeks to reach a new nuclear deal — potentially stronger and more sustainable than the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, which was abandoned by former President Trump in 2018.
Witkoff: “We Want Verification, Not Just Promises”
During a Fox News interview on Monday, Witkoff highlighted two major U.S. goals in the new round of talks:
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Verification of uranium enrichment levels
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Verification of weaponization capabilities, including stockpiled missiles and bomb-triggering technology
He stopped short of repeating previous U.S. demands for Iran to completely dismantle its nuclear infrastructure, a point of contention that has repeatedly derailed past negotiations.
“Iran does not need to enrich uranium past 3.67% for a civilian nuclear program,” Witkoff said, referencing the maximum enrichment level allowed under the original 2015 deal.
A Split Within the Trump Administration?
While Witkoff projects a more measured tone, other top Trump officials remain hardline.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has demanded the “full dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
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National Security Adviser Michael Waltz echoed that stance in March, saying Trump would accept nothing less than complete disarmament.
This internal difference raises questions about the administration’s endgame — and whether a compromise deal is even possible.
Iran Pushes Back: "No Excessive Demands"
Iran has rejected calls for full dismantlement, calling them a political ploy. Tehran maintains that it is entitled to peaceful nuclear energy under the UN Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that Iran has drawn clear “red lines” ahead of talks, including:
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No “threatening language” from U.S. negotiators
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No discussion of its ballistic missile program
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No “excessive demands” on its civilian nuclear activities
Nuclear Fuel or Bomb Fuel? The 60% Dilemma
The UN nuclear watchdog has warned that Iran continues to enrich uranium up to 60% purity, dangerously close to the 90% weapons-grade threshold.
This technical detail is at the heart of global concern — because uranium can be used either for electricity generation or nuclear weapon production, depending on enrichment levels.
📌 Quick Fact: Civilian use requires uranium enriched below 5%. Anything beyond that raises red flags internationally.
Next Round of Talks Likely in Rome
Following initial “constructive” meetings in Oman, the next phase of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations is expected to take place in Rome on April 19, according to sources familiar with the planning.
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| The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, in Bushehr, Iran on November 10, 2019. |
Both parties described the first round as “positive,” though deep mistrust still lingers.
Khamenei Warns Against Trusting U.S. Again
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cautioned his country against “repeating the mistake” of trusting the U.S., as was done during the Obama-era talks.
“A deal may come to fruition, or it may not,” he said, emphasizing the uncertainty and volatility of the current diplomatic climate.
Israel Opposes Any Deal Short of Full Dismantlement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly opposed any arrangement that allows Iran to retain parts of its nuclear program.
Netanyahu invoked the “Libya model” — referring to Libya’s 2003 nuclear disarmament in exchange for diplomatic normalization. However, that model has long been viewed with skepticism in Tehran due to Libya’s subsequent collapse and the killing of Muammar Gaddafi.
Iranian officials have repeatedly cited Libya’s fate as evidence of why complete disarmament is off the table.
What’s at Stake for the Region?
This new round of diplomacy could reshape the balance of power in the Middle East:
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U.S. allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia remain wary of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
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Iran’s economy, battered by years of sanctions, is desperate for relief.
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The Trump administration seeks a foreign policy win before the next election cycle.
Will There Be a Deal?
While verification is a step toward compromise, it’s unclear whether this new tone from the U.S. represents a temporary tactic or a fundamental shift.
If a deal emerges, it may resemble the original 2015 agreement in structure but include stronger enforcement mechanisms. If talks collapse, tensions are expected to rise sharply in the Gulf region.
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A Delicate Dance Toward Diplomacy
As world powers watch closely, the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks represent more than just a diplomatic negotiation — they are a test of global trust, a battle of wills, and possibly the foundation of future peace or conflict in the Middle East.