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: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

US softens nuclear stance as Iran holds firm on red lines: WSJ

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Wall Street Journal
  • 15 Apr 2025 22:35
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

With the United States quietly walking back demands it once presented as non-negotiable, Iran enters this phase of diplomacy from a position of resilience.

Listen
  • x
  • Omani security personnel watch a convoy believed to be carrying U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat, Oman, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
    Omani security personnel watch a convoy believed to be carrying US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat, Oman, Saturday, April 12, 2025 (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that the Trump administration is backing away from its initial demand that Iran fully dismantle its nuclear program, now indicating a willingness to accept low-level uranium enrichment under strict verification measures.

The shift, reported by journalist Michael Gordon, marks a significant concession and underscores how Washington's years-long strategy of sanctions and threats has failed to coerce Tehran into surrendering its sovereign nuclear rights. 

US special envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed the administration's new position in an interview with Fox News: "They do not need to enrich past 3.67%. This is going to be much about verification on the enrichment program and then ultimately verification on weaponization." He added that oversight should also cover "missiles, the type of missiles that they have stockpiled there, and it includes the trigger for a bomb." 

This admission comes as the US prepares for a new round of indirect negotiations with Iran in Oman, following what both sides called a "constructive" initial meeting last weekend. Despite the heightened rhetoric from President Donald Trump, who again threatened to strike Iran's nuclear facilities if talks fail, Iran has shown no indication of retreating from its core positions.

Tehran has long held that its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes, including electricity generation and medical research. Even as it enriches uranium up to 60%, Iranian officials maintain that the program remains civilian in nature. US intelligence agencies acknowledge that while Iran is technically capable of reaching weapons-grade levels within weeks, there is no evidence that the Iranian Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has authorized weaponization.

Related News

IAEA delegation to visit Iran next week, discuss cooperation: Sources

Iran confirms nuclear talks with E3 facing challenges

Addressing the progress of the negotiations, Khamenei stated, "We are neither overly optimistic nor overly pessimistic about the talks," reflecting the Islamic Republic's strategic calm and confidence amid growing Western flexibility.

Nuclear Autonomy

The latest US proposal echoes some elements of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), particularly the 3.67% enrichment cap. However, unlike the JCPOA, which allowed for the gradual lifting of restrictions, the Trump administration's current approach seeks a permanent limit—an idea Tehran considers both outdated and unrealistic, given its expanded nuclear infrastructure and enhanced regional standing.

Iran has made it unequivocally clear that it will not accept any negotiation that includes its missile arsenal or broader defense capabilities. As Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei recently reiterated, "Iran will not have any talks with the American side on any other issue." This includes ballistic and cruise missile programs that Tehran views as integral to its national security and deterrence posture.

Despite calls from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a "Libya model" of total nuclear disarmament under foreign oversight, the current trajectory suggests that such expectations are increasingly detached from reality. Israeli analyst Yoel Guzansky put it bluntly: "Israel can't live with Iran on the threshold, but the US can—that's the major difference."

Read more: Tehran rules out talks on US terms, says 'Libya-style deal a dream'

With the United States quietly walking back demands it once presented as non-negotiable, Iran enters this phase of diplomacy from a position of resilience. Years of economic siege, diplomatic pressure, and veiled military threats have failed to break its strategic resolve. Instead, Tehran has leveraged its scientific progress and regional alliances to shape a negotiation on its own terms—rooted not in capitulation, but in sovereignty, dignity, and unwavering national interest.

  • Nuclear Talks
  • steve witkoff
  • Nuclear Deal
  • Iran

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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