Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Iran must 'walk away' from all uranium enrichment, Rubio says

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 2 May 2025 15:04
3 Min Read

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iran must end uranium enrichment, halt missile development, and accept American nuclear inspectors.

Listen
  • x
  • Iran must 'walk away' from all uranium enrichment, Rubio says
    US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on upon his arrival at the Quai d'Orsay, France's Minister of Foreign Affairs, before a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Julien de Rosa, Pool via AP)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday outlined a series of demands for Iran as a new round of nuclear negotiations was postponed, underscoring widening gaps between Washington and Tehran.

Rubio said Iran must end uranium enrichment, abandon its long-range missile program, and accept American inspectors at its nuclear facilities if there is to be any agreement.

“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,” Rubio said during an interview with Fox News.

His comments reflect persistent divisions in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve long-standing concerns over Iran's nuclear program, while US President Donald Trump escalates his rhetoric around the negotiations, warning of possible military action should talks collapse.

Iran rejects pressure on enrichment and missile program

Tehran has repeatedly stated that it will not compromise on its sovereign right to enrich uranium or continue its missile development efforts, which it maintains are defensive.

Related News

Rubio supports Gaza occupation, warns of tight window for deal

Rubio pledges ongoing US pressure on Iran alongside Netanyahu

Enrichment is a key component in nuclear energy production, but higher levels can also be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.

Rubio argued that even low levels of enrichment pose a risk, "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."

Iran insists its program is peaceful and compliant with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), under which it claims a legal right to enrich uranium. It has consistently denied any intention to pursue nuclear weapons.

Talks postponed amid growing diplomatic strains

On Thursday, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday that a planned fourth round of nuclear talks in Rome had been postponed, citing Washington’s stance as the cause.

A new date will be considered "depending on the US approach," the official said.

The delay comes amid heightened tensions, with both sides refusing to concede on critical sticking points. While Rubio called for full access to all Iranian nuclear facilities, including military sites, Tehran historically opposed such intrusive measures, especially from American personnel.

Trump has threatened to bomb Iran if a deal is not reached, escalating concerns about potential conflict in the region. Rubio echoed this uncompromising tone by asserting that any meaningful deal must include Iran's acceptance of American inspectors and total transparency.

As diplomatic efforts stall and rhetoric intensifies, the future of the nuclear negotiations remains uncertain. With Tehran resisting the US's unilateral demands, and Washington upping its threats, the prospect for a breakthrough appears remote in the near term.

Read next: Netanyahu contradicts Trump, threatens to bomb Iran

  • Marco Rubio
  • United States
  • Tehran
  • Washington
  • Donald Trump
  • Iran

Most Read

Why is Choose Love using a firm with British and US intelligence connections to run a pro-Palestine musical event? (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Together for Palestine: Troubling questions about the organisers of this huge event

  • Opinion
  • 17 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS