US, Iran Deadlocked Over Nuclear Talks at UN: 'Zero Enrichment' a Non-Starter

The United States and Iran clashed at the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday over the terms for reviving nuclear talks. The US emphasized its readiness for direct negotiations, but only if Iran is willing to compromise on uranium enrichment on its soil. Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani rejected the US stance, saying that insisting on a 'zero enrichment' policy is unfair and contravenes Tehran's rights under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The two countries had previously held five rounds of nuclear talks before a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June. The talks stalled over concerns about uranium enrichment, which Western powers want to eliminate to minimize the risk of nuclear weaponization. The US has made it clear that no agreement will be reached unless Iran agrees to abandon enrichment on its soil. Iran, however, sees this as an attempt to dictate its nuclear program and will not be pressured into submission. The UN reinstated sanctions on Iran in September, following a process triggered by European powers over allegations of nuclear program violations. Iran denies any intention to develop nuclear weapons. The 2015 nuclear deal, which aimed to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb, remains in place. However, the US and its allies are now seeking a new agreement that would address Western concerns about uranium enrichment. The UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday was requested by Britain, France, the US, Denmark, Greece, Slovenia, and South Korea, but opposed by Russia and China.