Nuclear Talks in Doubt After US-Iran Exchange at UN

At the UN Security Council on Tuesday, the US and Iran engaged in a back-and-forth about terms for resuming nuclear discussions. The US stated that it is still prepared for direct talks, while Iran rejected Washington’s demands.

Before a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June, which Washington joined by attacking Iranian nuclear facilities, the two nations had five rounds of nuclear negotiations.

Significant obstacles stood in the way of the negotiations, most notably the practice of uranium enrichment on Iranian territory, which Tehran has vehemently opposed and which Western nations wish to end in order to reduce the possibility of weaponization.

“The United States remains available for formal talks with Iran, but only if Tehran is prepared for direct and meaningful dialogue,” Morgan Ortagus, Trump’s deputy Middle East envoy, addressed the Security Council.

“We have been clear, however, about certain expectations for any arrangement. Foremost, there can be no enrichment inside of Iran, and that remains our principle,” Ortagus stated.

Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, warned the group that by insisting on a zero enrichment program, the US was not engaging in fair negotiations.

“We appreciate any fair and meaningful negotiation, but insisting on zero enrichment policy, it is contrary to our rights as a member of the NPT, and it means that they are not pursuing the fair negotiation,” he mentioned the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

“They want to dictate their predetermined intention on Iran. Iran will not bow down to any pressure and intimidation.”

Following a procedure known as “snapback,” which was initiated by European powers, the UN restored an arms embargo and other sanctions on Iran due to its nuclear program in late September. China and Russia contested the action.

The Security Council’s snapback procedure was started by Britain, France, and Germany due to allegations that Iran had broken a 2015 agreement meant to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Iran claims to have peaceful intentions and denies pursuing nuclear weapons.

A resolution passed by the Security Council in 2015 codifies the 2015 nuclear agreement. Since then, the 15-member council has convened twice a year to discuss the resolution’s implementation.

Tuesday’s briefing was requested by South Korea, Denmark, Greece, Slovenia, Britain, France, and the United States. Although the conference went forward as scheduled, Russia and China objected on Tuesday, claiming that all of the resolution’s provisions expired on October 18.