Witkoff: Agreement with Iran Will Focus on Verification Regarding Enrichment and Military Aspects

The pace of diplomatic developments regarding Iran and the U.S. negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program has accelerated, and contradictory statements have been made about the location of the next round of talks. Meanwhile, the U.S. special envoy emphasized that Iran does not need to enrich uranium above 3.67 percent, and the focus of the agreement with Tehran will be on verifying the level of uranium enrichment and the military dimensions of the nuclear program, including missile capabilities. The first round of negotiations between Iran and the U.S. was held last Saturday in Oman, which both sides described as constructive and positive. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran is willing to reach an agreement with the U.S. but does not know how, accusing Iranian officials of 'playing games' and delaying negotiations. Witkoff stated that discussions with Iran revolve around two critical points: the level of enrichment and verifying the military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program, including its missile program. He emphasized that Iran does not need to enrich uranium beyond 3.67 percent, the level set in the JCPOA. He noted that in a civilian nuclear program, there is no need to exceed this threshold. Witkoff also highlighted the importance of verifying the military aspects of Iran's nuclear program, which includes missiles and the types of missiles they have stored, as well as bomb triggers. The U.S. envoy stressed that they are here to see if this situation can be resolved diplomatically through dialogue. The U.S. agreement on the civilian enrichment level of uranium in Iran (3.67 percent) contrasts with Israel's demand for the complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear program and the destruction of its nuclear facilities and equipment. Iran has always claimed that its nuclear program has peaceful purposes; however, reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency have warned that the increase in enrichment levels and the amount of highly enriched uranium in Iran has no precedent in any country without nuclear weapons. Late on Monday, Iranian media reported, citing the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, that the second round of negotiations with the U.S. will again be held in Muscat, the capital of Oman. Ismail Baqai stated, 'After consultations, it was decided that Muscat will continue to host the second round of these negotiations, which will take place on Saturday, April 30.' This statement differed from earlier reports and comments made just hours before. Baqai had said in a press conference that the second round of negotiations would take place in another country, but Oman would still be responsible for finding the location and preparing for the next meeting. Additionally, Iranian media reported that Abbas Araghchi had said in a phone conversation with his Iraqi counterpart that the second round of negotiations between Iran and the U.S. would be held in Rome. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also confirmed on Monday that he received and agreed to the request to hold the next round of Iran-U.S. talks in Rome. The reason for the change in Iranian officials' statements is unclear. On Monday, some media, including Bloomberg, pointed to the simultaneous negotiations between Iran and Washington in Rome, coinciding with the presence of JD Vance, Donald Trump's deputy, in the Italian capital. Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, is scheduled to meet with Donald Trump at the White House on Friday and will host JD Vance in Rome the following day. Meanwhile, reports have emerged about Iranian officials traveling to Moscow, and the trip of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency to Tehran has also been officially confirmed. Kazem Gharibabadi, the Deputy for Legal and International Affairs at Iran's Foreign Ministry, said on Monday that Rafael Grossi will arrive in Tehran on Wednesday evening (April 27) and will meet and discuss with Abbas Araghchi and Mohammad Eslami, the Foreign Minister and Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization. Grossi also mentioned his trip to Tehran this week on social media, stating that in a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed, continued interaction and cooperation with the Agency is essential. On Monday, Gharibabadi also went to Moscow and, according to IRNA, met and discussed with Vasilyevich Vershinin, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also announced that Abbas Araghchi would travel to Moscow before the second round of negotiations with the U.S. to discuss with Russian officials. The price of gold and currency in Iran has also risen alongside the intensifying nuclear negotiations.