US Secretary of State Rubio Says Iran Must Abandon All Nuclear Enrichment To Advance Nuclear Talks

SATURDAY May 3, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has laid out strict conditions for Iran ahead of renewed nuclear negotiations, calling for Tehran to abandon its uranium enrichment programme, halt the development of long-range missiles, and allow full inspection access to American officials. His comments come as a new round of nuclear talks, scheduled for Saturday in Rome, was postponed amid rising tensions.

In an interview on Fox News’ Hannity on Thursday, Rubio said Iran must “walk away” from a range of activities that the US considers unacceptable. “They have to walk away from sponsoring terrorists, they have to walk away from helping the Houthis [in Yemen], they have to walk away from building long-range missiles that have no purpose to exist other than having nuclear weapons, and they have to walk away from enrichment,” he stated.

Rubio insisted Iran should import enriched uranium for its civilian nuclear energy needs instead of producing it domestically. He warned that the current level of enrichment, even at low levels, could quickly escalate. “If you have the ability to enrich at 3.67%, it only takes a few weeks to get to 20%, then 60%, and then the 80 and 90% that you need for a weapon,” he said.

Iran maintains that its uranium enrichment is permitted under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and insists it has no intention of developing a nuclear weapon. Tehran has also repeatedly rejected the inclusion of its missile programme in negotiations, calling it a matter of national defence.

In addition to Rubio’s remarks, U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday intensified pressure on Iran by announcing that all purchases of Iranian oil or petrochemical products must cease immediately. He warned that any individuals or countries continuing such trade would face secondary sanctions and be barred from doing business with the United States.

Iran responded on Friday with a firm rejection of US threats. “While stressing its commitment to the path of diplomacy and declaring its readiness to continue negotiations, Iran will not tolerate approaches based on threats and pressure,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.

A senior Iranian official said that the fourth round of nuclear talks, initially set to take place in Rome, had been postponed. “A new date will be set depending on the US approach,” the official noted.

As negotiations stall and rhetoric escalates, the gulf between US demands and Iranian positions continues to widen, casting doubt on the prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough.