WANA (May 24) – Mohammad Hossein Ranjbaran, Iran’s Foreign Minister, has warned that indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington are facing a difficult path ahead due to fundamental disagreements over uranium enrichment.

 

Ranjbaran, advisor to the Iranian Foreign Minister, said that the United States abruptly shifted its position on halting uranium enrichment after the second round of talks.

 

“In the third round, despite public rhetoric, U.S. negotiators adopted a relatively positive tone,” Ranjbaran noted. “However, they later hardened their stance, declaring uranium enrichment a red line—contrary to earlier indications.”

 

This shift, he said, triggered a strong protest from the Iranian side during the meetings in Muscat, ultimately causing the initial cancellation of the fourth round of talks.

 

“Only after messages were exchanged between Washington and Tehran did the fourth round proceed, but Iran used the opportunity to caution against the consequences of the American approach,” he added.

 

Ranjbaran also pointed to what he described as the influential role of Israel in shaping Trump-era U.S. foreign policy. “The Zionist regime is using all its resources to sabotage the negotiations,” he said.

 

Highlighting Tehran’s unwavering stance, Ranjbaran stressed that Iran’s red line on uranium enrichment is “deep-rooted and non-negotiable,” contrasting it with what he called Washington’s “paper-thin” red lines.

 

He also reiterated that Iran’s Foreign Minister will continue to resist media and political pressure from the United States and reaffirmed Tehran’s support for the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, as well as its commitment to confronting Israeli crimes.

 

Looking ahead, Ranjbaran concluded: “The upcoming rounds of indirect negotiations will be challenging and complex, demanding patience and strategic thinking from both sides.”

A book with a cover design of the Iran-US negotiations is seen in Tehran

A book with a cover design of the Iran-US negotiations is seen in Tehran, Iran, April 26, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)