Rubio: Peaceful Resolution With Iran Requires Full Enrichment Ban/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran must stop all uranium enrichment for any nuclear deal with the U.S. The Trump administration remains open to diplomacy but sees an agreement as a “long ways off.” The IAEA reports Iran may soon allow renewed international monitoring of nuclear sites.
U.S. Warns Iran: Halt Uranium Enrichment to Reach Nuclear Deal — Quick Looks
- Rubio’s Red Line: No deal unless Iran ends uranium enrichment completely.
- Trump’s Position: Prefers diplomacy but reserves right to use force.
- IAEA Update: Iran may allow return of U.N. nuclear inspectors.
- Talks Progressing: Technical-level discussions set for this weekend.
- Iran’s Response: Says enrichment is non-negotiable and for peaceful use.
- Regional Tensions: U.S. warns any new conflict could ignite broader Middle East war.
Rubio Says Iran Must End Nuclear Enrichment for U.S. to Strike Deal
Deep Looks
WASHINGTON (April 24, 2025) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a firm warning that Iran must give up all uranium enrichment if it hopes to reach a nuclear agreement with the United States and avoid the threat of military action.
In an interview released on journalist Bari Weiss’s podcast, Rubio outlined a key condition for continuing talks with Tehran, stating that any agreement must eliminate Iran’s ability to enrich uranium, even for civilian energy purposes.
“If Iran wants a civil nuclear program, they can have one — like many other countries — by importing enriched material,” Rubio said. “But enrichment itself must end.”
Iran, however, has long refused to forfeit its right to enrich uranium, a central point of contention dating back to the collapse of the 2015 Obama-era nuclear deal, which President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018.
Trump reopened negotiations earlier this year, aiming for what he has called a “stronger, longer” agreement. While two rounds of talks have occurred, Rubio admitted that an actual deal remains far off.
“We’re a long ways from any sort of agreement with Iran,” he said. “It may not be possible, but we would want to achieve a peaceful resolution to this and not resort to anything else.”
U.S. Talks Continue Amid Mounting Tensions
Iran wants the U.S. to lift crippling sanctions that have battered its economy. Meanwhile, the threat of an Israeli or U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities looms, particularly as Russia’s war in Ukraine and tensions with China stretch U.S. military resources.
“Any military action — by us or anybody else — could in fact trigger a much broader conflict,” he said.
Despite recent friction, Rubio emphasized Trump’s preference for a diplomatic solution.
“Trump reserves every right to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon,” Rubio added. “But he’d prefer peace.”
Backlash Over U.S. Messaging
Initial signs from Trump’s lead negotiator, Steve Witkoff, suggested the U.S. might allow Iran to continue limited enrichment. That sparked backlash from conservatives and Israel, which demands the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program.
Witkoff later “clarified” his remarks, stating, “Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi swiftly rejected that demand.
“The core issue of enrichment itself is not negotiable,” Araghchi said, reiterating Iran’s longstanding position.
IAEA Reports Iran May Restore Oversight
In a potential breakthrough, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi announced Wednesday that Iran had agreed to allow a technical U.N. team to return for inspections and surveillance discussions.
“That is my impression — that Iranian leaders are engaging with a sense of trying to get to an agreement,” Grossi said, following a recent visit to Tehran.
Though not directly involved in the current negotiations, the International Atomic Energy Agency will be crucial in verifying Iran’s compliance with any future deal.
“You can’t just invent your own team of inspectors,” Grossi noted. “The IAEA’s expertise is essential.”
What’s at Stake
Since the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, Iran has significantly ramped up its enrichment capabilities, stockpiling uranium at levels closer to weapons-grade. The IAEA has reported consistent setbacks in its monitoring efforts.
With negotiations intensifying and rhetoric hardening on both sides, the outcome of this high-stakes diplomatic standoff may determine whether the Middle East veers toward peace — or escalating conflict.
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