Iran unfazed by sanctions, rejects US demand for uranium enrichment freeze

Tehran rules out temporary nuclear deal with the US, says it will never agree to total suspension of uranium enrichment, even for sanctions relief.

By World Israel News Staff

Iran has rejected an overture by the United States to reach a temporary nuclear deal in order to avoid a collapse of negotiations over disagreements on the Islamic republic’s uranium enrichment program.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters at a press conference in Tehran that Iran will not agree to any deal, even a temporary one, under which it will be required to adhere to zero uranium enrichment.

Baqaei doubled down on Iran’s claims that its nuclear program is peaceful in nature, adding that Tehran will never yield its “basic rights” to pursue low-level uranium enrichment for civilian purposes.

“if the aim is to deprive Iran of its basic rights like low-level uranium enrichment, we don’t believe such negotiations would succeed,” Baqaei said.

Baqaei also denied reports that his country has agreed to temporarily suspend all uranium enrichment activities for three years to achieve a permanent deal and secure sanctions relief from the US.

“No, there is absolutely nothing like this on the table,” he said.

Baqaei’s comments came days after US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, who has headed the American negotiating team in talks with Iran, insisted that the Trump administration “could not authorize even one percent” uranium enrichment, insisting that Iran agree to a complete cessation of enrichment activities.

The US and Iran have held five rounds of indirect talks thus far, with the last meeting being held in Italy on Friday.

While US President Donald Trump recently hinted at an impending breakthrough in talks with Iran, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government was unfazed by American threats and downplayed the consequences of a possible breakdown in nuclear talks.

“It’s not like we will die of hunger if they refuse to negotiate with us or impose sanctions. We will find a way to survive,” Pezeshkian said.