Rubio rules out allowing any Iranian uranium enrichment in deal
"If Iran wants a civil nuclear program, they can have one just like many other countries in the world have one, and that is they import enriched material," US secretary of state Marco Rubio said in an interview with The Free Press podcast.
"There’s a pathway to a civil, peaceful nuclear program if they want one. But if they insist on enriching, then they will be the only country in the world that doesn’t have a 'weapons program,' quote-unquote, but is enriching. And so I think that’s problematic."
The UN nuclear watchdog said last month that Iran is only non-nuclear armed state enriching uranium to 60%. Several countries which do not possess nuclear weapons, including Japan, Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands, enrich uranium at lower levels.
"If America’s only demand is that Iran not possess nuclear weapons, that demand is attainable and we can meet it," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in Beijing on Wednesday.
"But if (Washington) makes impractical and unreasonable demands, it’s natural that we will run into problems.
"If the other side also engages earnestly, I think there is room for progress," Araghchi added.
"Up until now we have reached a better mutual understanding than in the past on certain principles, concepts, and objectives of the negotiations, which can continue."
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday dismissed a report by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) about Iran's construction of a new security perimeter around two underground tunnel complexes near its Natanz nuclear site.
"The attempts by the Israeli regime and certain Special Interest groups to derail diplomacy—using variety of tactics—is abundantly clear for all to see," Araghchi said in a post on his X account.
He said the Islamic Republic's "security services are on high alert given past instances of attempted sabotage and assassination operations designed to provoke a legitimate response."
Araghchi said "those seeking to manipulate public opinion can also be expected to come up with fantastical claims and props like scary-looking satellite images."
"Reality check: Every single milligram of enriched uranium in Iran is under full and constant IAEA supervision and monitoring."
Iran has agreed to allow a technical team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to discuss restoring camera surveillance in Iranian nuclear facilities, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed the agency would send a technical team to Iran following his visit to Tehran this month.
Grossi said his impression is that the Islamic Republic's leaders are "seriously engaged in discussions... with a sense of trying to get to an agreement."
The UN body would be the party responsible for verifying Iran's compliance with a deal, Grossi said. "This will have to be verified by the IAEA.''
Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said on Friday that a deputy to the head of the UN nuclear watchdog will visit Tehran in the coming two weeks to continue high-level technical talks.
Kamalvandi added that discussions aim to resolve recurring issues in IAEA reports that, according to Tehran, have contributed to mounting political pressure rather than advancing technical cooperation.
Although the IAEA is not formally part of the Iran-US negotiations, Grossi said he had been in direct contact with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff regarding ongoing nuclear talks with Iran.
“I have enormous respect for Ambassador Witkoff — I’ve been talking to him,” he said. “I see there is a group of very dedicated professionals behind him.”
Grossi met with Witkoff in Rome last weekend, Bloomberg reported citing a diplomat familiar with the exchange.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that progress in nuclear talks with the United States could be possible if Washington continues what he described as a constructive approach.
“If the American side continues a constructive approach and avoids unrealistic demands, we can reach a good agreement,” Araghchi said during a visit to Beijing.
Witkoff and Araghchi are due to meet again on Saturday for a third round of negotiations.
Beijing supports Tehran in holding nuclear talks with the United States, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday.
"China has always been committed to the political and diplomatic solution of the Iranian nuclear issue and opposes resorting to force and illegal unilateral sanctions," Wang was quoted as saying by China's foreign ministry.
"China appreciates Iran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, respects Iran's right to peacefully use nuclear energy and supports Iran in conducting dialogue with all parties including the United States to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests through consultation and negotiation."
The Iranian and Chinese foreign ministers met in Beijing, where Araghchi is visiting to deliver a message from Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to President Xi Jinping.
"Iran's nuclear program must remain untouched," Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a televised interview on Wednesday.
"None of the country's achievements in the field of development and progress will be subject to exceptions," he added.
Khatibzadeh said Tehran "does not accept being an exception in international law, and at the same time, there must be a balance between Iran’s commitments and the lifting of sanctions so that we can reach a good agreement."
"We must understand that no miracle will occur the day after an agreement is reached."
