US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has conveyed a message from President Donald Trump to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing the need for unity in approaching Iran‘s nuclear program. According to Noem, Trump “specifically sent me here to have a conversation with the prime minister about how those negotiations are going and how important it is that we stay united and let this process play out.”
Progress in Nuclear Talks
Trump expressed optimism about the ongoing talks, stating, “We’ve had some very, very good talks with Iran. And I don’t know if I’ll be telling you anything good or bad over the next two days, but I have a feeling I might be telling you something good.” However, Iran has ruled out temporarily suspending uranium enrichment to secure an interim deal with the US. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei emphasized Iran’s commitment to the talks, saying, “We have entered the course of talks seriously and purposefully with the intention of reaching a fair agreement. We have proved our seriousness”.
Key Points of Contention
A major sticking point in the negotiations is whether Iran would be allowed to enrich its own uranium. US officials have insisted that Iran must not only scale back its nuclear program but also completely stop enriching uranium – a position Tehran considers a non-starter. Iranian officials argue that enrichment for civilian purposes is a sovereign right not prohibited by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
US and Israeli Perspectives
Noem stated that the US understands Netanyahu’s skepticism towards Iran, saying, “The message to the American people is: We have a president that wants peace, but also a president that will not tolerate nuclear Iran capability in the future. They will not be able to get a nuclear weapon, and this president will not allow it.” Netanyahu has long claimed that Iran is on the cusp of acquiring a nuclear bomb, portraying Iran as a significant threat.
Iran’s Stance
Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi criticized Netanyahu’s approach, stating that the Israeli prime minister is “desperate to dictate what the US can and cannot do.” Tehran denies seeking a nuclear weapon, while Israel is believed to possess an undeclared nuclear arsenal.
Potential Outcomes
The US and Iran have expressed a desire to avoid a collapse in negotiations. Trump has indicated a willingness to negotiate a new nuclear deal allowing Iran to “peacefully grow and prosper,” provided it includes robust monitoring and verification measures.