Iran to Hold Nuclear Talks with the U.S. on the 11th
Foreign Ministry: "We Will Not Relinquish Nuclear Rights"
On May 9 (local time), two days before the fourth round of nuclear negotiations with the United States, Iran made it clear that it would not abandon its nuclear program.
According to major foreign media outlets, on this day, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated during a speech at the 4th Arab-Iran Dialogue Conference held in Doha, Qatar, "If the goal of (the U.S.) negotiations is to deprive Iran of its nuclear rights, Iran makes it clear that it will not relinquish any of its rights."
Minister Araqchi added, "In the indirect talks with the United States, Iran has emphasized its right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and has clearly declared that it does not seek nuclear weapons."
He continued, "Iran is continuing negotiations with goodwill, and if the purpose of these talks is to guarantee non-possession of nuclear weapons, an agreement is possible. However, if the aim is to restrict Iran's nuclear rights, Iran will never give up its rights."
Iran has repeatedly insisted that there is no room for negotiation regarding its right to enrich uranium, and has dismissed demands by some U.S. officials to halt or eliminate uranium enrichment. However, U.S. President Donald Trump has set the complete dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program as his goal and maintains that uranium enrichment cannot be permitted even for civilian purposes.
Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy for Middle Eastern affairs, also stated in an interview with the U.S. online media outlet Breitbart the previous day, "There can never be a (uranium) enrichment program in Iran." He explained, "This is our red line," and added, "This means that the three enrichment facilities in Iran must be dismantled."
The United States and Iran will hold the fourth round of nuclear negotiations in Oman on May 11. Special Envoy Witkoff and Minister Araqchi are scheduled to attend as their respective representatives.
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