A senior Iranian official told USA TODAY that there is no scenario under a theoretical deal with the United States aimed at ending the war where Tehran would agree to entirely give up enriching uranium for its nuclear program.
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity due to sensitive ongoing attempts to get both sides to return to peace talks in Pakistan. President Donald Trump said April 14 that the U.S.-Iran peace talks may resume “over the next two days” in Islamabad.
Iran has not publicly confirmed that timescale. Officials in Iran and Pakistan did not return a request for comment on the possibility of new talks in Islamabad.
Trump's negotiating team has made the United States' red lines very clear and "will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon," said White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales.
“The Iranians’ desperation for a deal is only increasing with President Trump’s highly effective naval blockade in effect," said Wales. "The President is rightfully securing the Strait of Hormuz to ensure freedom of navigation for all ships traveling to non-Iranian ports, ending the Iranian extortion of the world."
