‘Not Conclusive’: Iran and U.S. Hold New Round of Nuclear Talks in Rome

• Uranium Impasse Remains: Iran and the United States achieved“some but not conclusive progress” during their fifth round of nuclear negotiations in Rome on May 23, according to Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. Negotiators are at an impasse over whether Iran can keep enriching uranium or should be compelled to dismantle its enrichment capabilities completely — a key U.S. demand. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said this week that U.S. demands for full dismantlement of its enrichment program are “excessive and outrageous,” emphasizing his doubts that the talks would deliver results.

• ‘Special Measures’ to Protect Nuclear Sites: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi threatened that Iran would “take special measures in defense of our nuclear facilities and materials.” While Araghchi did not specify what these actions might involve, Iran is able to move its nuclear material to undeclared sites, beyond the reach of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors. His statement came following intelligence reports that Israel is preparing to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities.
• Iran Operates Several Sensitive Nuclear Facilities: The most sensitive of Iran’s nuclear sites include the Natanz and Fordow enrichment sites and the Isfahan uranium conversion facility. Two enrichment plants at Natanz and one at Fordow operate thousands of centrifuges to enrich uranium, while Iran stores stockpiles of highly enriched uranium at Isfahan. Iran is currently enriching uranium to a 60 percent purity level, which has no civilian purpose and accounts for 99 percent of the effort needed to produce weapons-grade material.

FDD Expert Response

“All Western intelligence capabilities need to be homed in on Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles at Natanz and Isfahan. The IAEA may not have the tools in place to remotely detect Tehran’s diversion of nuclear material  to secret sites, the first step of an Iranian breakout. The regime’s implicit threat underscores why Washington must continue to demand that Tehran dismantle its uranium enrichment program as well as its weaponization and missile delivery capabilities.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow

“The gap between the American and Iranian positions for a nuclear deal has grown wider than ever, with Tehran saying it will not give up enrichment and Washington claiming it is seeking a deal to do exactly that. The divide is a reminder that not all issues can be subject to peaceful means of resolution. The only way now that a deal can be reached quickly is if there is a massive collapse between the public and private positions and red lines of either side.” — Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow

“As nuclear talks between Iran and the United States move forward, additional verification concerns must be made a first-order priority. Iran cannot be allowed to maintain a network of clandestine nuclear facilities. Araghchi’s threat to take ‘special measures’ confirms that Iran has additional facilities not monitored by the IAEA. Total dismantlement of the program will require a verifiable accounting of Iran’s current nuclear facilities before any deal would be implemented.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations, FDD Action

FDD Background and Analysis

“9 Myths About Iran’s Uranium Enrichment Program,” by Andrea Stricker

“‘Enrichment Enables Weaponization’: Witkoff Emphasizes Zero Enrichment for Iran,” FDD Flash Brief

“Iran’s Nuclear Disarmament: The Only Deal That Protects U.S. and Allied Security,” by Orde Kittrie, Andrea Stricker, and Behnam Ben Taleblu

“‘For Us, Martyrdom is Far Sweeter’: Pezeshkian Says Iran Will Not Be ‘Bullied’ Into Nuclear Deal With U.S.,” FDD Flash Brief