U.S. State Department: Iran Should Not Have a Uranium Enrichment Program; 'Witkoff's Trip to Paris'

U.S. special envoy Donald Trump's representative and the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department state that Iran should not have an enrichment program; the White House also announced that Mr. Trump emphasized this issue in a conversation with the Sultan of Oman. Meanwhile, Politico reported, citing two informed sources, that Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, and Steve Witkoff, special envoy of Donald Trump, are heading to France in the coming days to discuss topics including Iran and Ukraine. "Iran should not have an enrichment program," said Tommy Bruce, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, during a press conference on Tuesday, April 15. Ms. Bruce stated, "The Secretary of State, just as the President and his envoy [Steve Witkoff], have clearly stated that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons or an enrichment program." The spokesperson made these remarks in response to reporters' questions regarding Mr. Witkoff's statements. Steve Witkoff stated in an interview with Fox News that Iran does not need enrichment above 3.67 percent and later tweeted that Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and militarization program. Witkoff: Iran must destroy its nuclear enrichment and militarization program. The spokesperson for the U.S. State Department noted that there is always a reaction to this tweet or that statement, stating that what is said in public is not part of the negotiations between the parties and that "no one negotiates in public view." She added, "We are approaching the second meeting (I still do not call it 'negotiation' but it may change); we must know that what is important is the final result; the agreement of the parties; the signing of documents." Ms. Bruce also said, "I know everyone is looking for answers, as humanity is interested in the final outcome of this matter, but I just advise you to be patient." "Trump's emphasis on stopping Iran's enrichment" Just hours before these remarks, the White House spokesperson announced that Donald Trump emphasized the cessation of Iran's enrichment program in a phone conversation with the Sultan of Oman. Caroline Levitt stated in her press conference that President Trump had a conversation with the Sultan of Oman, who facilitated these negotiations. She added that Mr. Trump, while thanking the Sultan of Oman for his hospitality and facilitation of these negotiations, "emphasized the necessity of ending Iran's nuclear program through negotiation." The White House spokesperson also reminded that the maximum pressure campaign on Iran continues, and the President of the United States has been very clear about preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons while expressing a willingness to talk with Iran. Meanwhile, Politico reported early Wednesday, citing its sources, about the imminent trip of Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio to France. Politico reported without details that Steve Witkoff is set to meet with Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, and Marco Rubio will also discuss with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot. According to this report, these discussions will cover Iran, Ukraine, new tariffs, and trade relations. The White House and the U.S. State Department have not reacted to this report and have yet to provide news about the trip of these two officials to France. On Tuesday, Axios reported, citing its sources, that Donald Trump held a confidential meeting in the White House's "Situation Room" with senior security and foreign policy officials and discussed the nuclear negotiations with Iran. Additionally, Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, in his first public reaction to the Iran-U.S. negotiations, stated that the first step was well executed, but according to him, one should not fall into "extreme pessimism and optimism" regarding these negotiations. Ali Khamenei says the first round of negotiations between Iran and the U.S. was "well executed." Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, also in a video message while holding the report published on Ali Khamenei's website, stated: today, "the dictator of Iran" called for the annihilation of Israel, "but Israel will not be annihilated; what must be annihilated is the axis of terror of the Islamic Republic and its nuclear weapons program." The first round of negotiations between Iran and the U.S. regarding Tehran's nuclear program took place on Saturday, April 13, in Oman, and the second round is also scheduled for Saturday, April 20. Previously, Rome, the capital of Italy, was mentioned as the location for this round of negotiations, but the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced late Monday that the second round would still be held in Muscat.