Iran reaffirms uranium enrichment as 'red line' in ongoing US talks
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Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stresses uranium enrichment as a non-negotiable right in indirect nuclear talks with the US.
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In this photo released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, is welcomed by an unidentified Omani official, center, upon his arrival at Muscat, Oman, for negotiations with US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, as Iranian Ambassador to Oman Mousa Farhang walks at right, on May 11, 2025. (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, has reaffirmed that uranium enrichment remains a "red line" for the Islamic Republic in its nuclear negotiations with the United States.
He emphasized that any final agreement with Washington must fully respect Iran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
The remarks were relayed by Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, following a media briefing on Tuesday. The comments were made in the context of the fourth round of indirect nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, held over the weekend in Qatar.
According to Rezaei, Gharibabadi stated that the negotiations focused on "principles and generalities" and that Iran clarified it would not compromise on core issues, particularly uranium enrichment.
Rezaei further noted that Gharibabadi emphasized Iran's refusal to engage in discussions concerning its regional posture or missile capabilities. "The deputy foreign minister said that uranium enrichment is a red line for the Islamic Republic, and that no negotiations were held regarding regional issues or defense and missile power," Rezaei stated.
The Iranian side also denounced the United States’ contradictory behavior, pointing to Washington’s imposition of new sanctions even as negotiations continued.
Iran criticizes US contradictions and new sanctions
Gharibabadi reportedly warned that a deal would be impossible if the US insisted on “zero enrichment” as a condition.
“Reaching an agreement is conditional on observing Iran’s red lines; therefore, if the Americans are seeking zero enrichment, we do not see a need to continue negotiations,” Rezaei quoted him as saying.
He stressed that uranium enrichment is not only a technical necessity but a matter of national pride, having been achieved at great cost. He also reiterated that domestic enrichment is essential to meet peaceful needs such as nuclear energy production and operation of facilities like the Tehran research reactor.
The deputy foreign minister criticized the US for announcing new sanctions even as talks were ongoing.
On Monday, the US State Department sanctioned three Iranian nationals and a company, Fuya Pars Prospective Technologists, accusing them of engaging in dual-use research relevant to nuclear weapons. The sanctions freeze assets and prohibit US-based financial dealings.
The latest sanctions came just one day after the fourth round of indirect talks between Iran and the US, which was facilitated by Qatari hosts. Previous rounds were held in Muscat and Rome on April 12, 19, and 26, with mediation led by Oman.
Despite the tensions, both sides have characterized the talks as "positive" and "moving forward," though Iranian officials have reiterated that any agreement must honor Iran’s non-negotiable principles.
