Iran must end uranium enrichment to reach nuclear deal: US

As the United States prepares more talks with Iran this weekend about a nuclear deal

the top negotiator for the U.S. now says Tehran must abandon its uranium enrichment program

as part of any agreement. Steve Whitcoff made the strong remarks on X. He wrote

quote, any final arrangement must set a framework for peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle

East, meaning that Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program

It is imperative for the world that we create a tough, fair deal that will endure

That statement was a change in direction from what Steve Witkoff told Fox News on Monday

when according to the Wall Street Journal, he said they don't need to enrich past 3.67 percent

An enrichment level of 3.67 percent is typical for fueling nuclear power reactors

according to the Arms Control Association, which touts itself as an authoritative source on arms control since 1971

that is working to eliminate the threats posed by the world most dangerous weapons Experts say adhering to that level would increase the time it would take for Iran to clean or filter material to 90 percent which is needed to produce nuclear weapons

The Obama administration had accepted an enrichment cap at 3.67 percent as a key to making a nuclear deal with Iran in 2015

But it allowed Iran to increase enrichment over time. The Journal reports by 2031, Iran would have been permitted to enrich uranium to any purity level

Iran has refused to give up its ability to enrich uranium in past negotiations

saying it needs a nuclear program for the production of electricity and medical research

Meantime, a second U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, has arrived in the Middle East

It is now in the Arabian Sea, backing up the USS Harry Truman

President Trump has warned the United States could launch airstrikes at Iran if a nuclear deal is not reached

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