President Trump has issued a two-month deadline for Iran to negotiate a new nuclear deal, with potential military action looming if Iran rejects the offer. Trump’s assertions and Iran’s response indicate a precarious diplomatic situation surrounding Iran’s advancing nuclear capabilities. A revival of negotiations remains uncertain amidst ongoing tensions and previous deal collapses.
President Donald Trump has issued a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, establishing a two-month deadline for negotiations on a new nuclear agreement. Axios, citing sources, reports that it remains unclear whether the countdown initiates upon delivery or the start of discussions. Should Iran reject this offer, the probability of military actions by the United States or Israel against Iranian nuclear sites would significantly increase.
Iran’s nuclear program has made significant strides in recent years, bringing the nation closer to potential nuclear weapon capability. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports that Iran’s stockpile contains enough 60%-enriched uranium to produce six nuclear bombs if further enriched to 90%. Nevertheless, Iran maintains its official stance that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons development.
In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump stated, “We cannot let them have nuclear weapons. Something is going to happen very soon. I would prefer a peace agreement to the other option, but the other option will solve the problem.” The delivery of the letter to Khamenei was facilitated by Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. It was presented to United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed before being passed to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Sources indicate that Trump’s letter conveyed a “tough” message, offering negotiations but underscoring the potential consequences if Iran dismisses the offer and persists with its nuclear advancements. Khamenei has characterized the letter as a “deception,” suggesting it aimed to falsely portray Iran as reluctant to negotiate, although Iran’s UN mission stated that discussions are not entirely off the table, provided they do not aim to dismantle Iran’s peaceful nuclear agenda.
Trump has consistently expressed an interest in renegotiating a nuclear agreement with Iran. During his previous campaign, he indicated openness to new negotiations. Following his reinstatement of maximum pressure sanctions on Iran, the US Treasury Department imposed further sanctions on an international network allegedly facilitating Iranian oil sales to its military. Recent reports indicated that Vladimir Putin had agreed to assist Trump in negotiations with Iran.
The original Iran nuclear deal, established in 2015 among various world powers, permitted Iran to maintain its nuclear program in exchange for sanction relief. Following Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 and subsequent sanctions, Tehran resumed uranium production. Under President Biden, indirect negotiations to revive the deal stalled in late 2022 due to accusations of unfounded demands from Iran during an IAEA investigation. Thus, the prospect of the Iran nuclear deal remains precarious.
In conclusion, President Trump’s recent correspondence with Iran’s Supreme Leader sets a stringent two-month deadline for negotiations aimed at averting Iran’s further nuclear progression. The heightened fear of military action looms if Iran dismisses this opportunity. The evolving dynamics surrounding the nuclear program highlight increasing tensions and the necessity for diplomatic engagement to circumvent escalation. Cooperation among international players, particularly in the context of aid from allies like Russia, may be pivotal in reshaping the current status quo regarding Iran’s nuclear intentions.
Original Source: babel.ua
