The United States is demanding that Iran halt uranium enrichment, halt development of long-range missiles and allow US inspectors to access all its nuclear and military facilities. This was stated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, quoted by “Reuters“, after the upcoming round of nuclear talks was postponed, BTA reports.
Rubio's statement highlights the fundamental disagreements that continue to hinder the two sides from reaching an agreement in the years-long dispute over Tehran's nuclear program. US President Donald Trump further escalated the tension, saying that “bombing Iran is not out of the question“ if a diplomatic solution is not found.
“Iran must stop sponsoring terrorist groups, supporting the Houthis in Yemen, and developing long-range ballistic missiles that are clearly designed to deliver nuclear weapons. It must also stop all uranium enrichment“, Rubio said firmly.
Iran has repeatedly stressed that it will not back down on its missile program or uranium enrichment - a process that is used to produce fuel for nuclear power plants and potentially build nuclear warheads.
A senior Iranian official announced yesterday that the fourth round of talks scheduled for tomorrow in Rome has been postponed. A new date is expected to be set "depending on the US approach", he said.
According to Rubio, Iran should switch to importing enriched uranium for its peaceful nuclear program, instead of producing it itself. "If you have the technology to enrich it to 3.67%, it is a matter of weeks to reach 20%, then 60%, and finally over 90% - the level needed for weapons use", he warned.
However, Iran emphasizes that it is acting in accordance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and categorically denies ambitions to create an atomic bomb.
In conclusion, Rubio stressed that US inspectors must be allowed into any future control regime, including with the authority to access military sites - something that Tehran has so far categorically rejected.