Negotiations between the United States and Iran collapsed after Iranian officials openly declared their intention to continue enriching uranium to levels that could support nuclear weapons production, according to Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy. Witkoff said the U.S. delegation was surprised by the statement during the talks. He recalled exchanging uneasy looks with Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, when Iranian negotiators made their position clear. “The Iranians began the discussion by saying they believe they have an absolute right to enrich all the uranium they possess,” Witkoff said during an interview with Fox News.
U.S. negotiators quickly pushed back, arguing that Washington believed Iran should completely halt its uranium enrichment activities. However, Iranian officials remained firm and refused to change their stance. Witkoff said the negotiations effectively collapsed when Tehran rejected a U.S. proposal to freeze uranium enrichment for ten years. Under the plan, the United States offered to supply Iran with nuclear fuel during that period. “That’s when we realized they had no intention of doing anything except continuing enrichment that could lead to nuclear weapons,” Witkoff said.
During the discussions, Iranian negotiators reportedly confirmed that they possessed about 460 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent. Witkoff said they acknowledged that such material could potentially be converted into enough fuel for up to 11 nuclear bombs. Tensions rose further during a meeting in Geneva last Thursday when Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly shouted after U.S. officials repeated their demand for a decade-long enrichment freeze. Following the breakdown, U.S. officials briefed President Trump. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance emphasized that the administration has no intention of entering a prolonged Middle East conflict if additional military action against Iran is authorized.
