Ahead of the fourth round of US-Iran negotiations, Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, stated that Washington and Tehran are not seeking a new version of the 2015 nuclear agreement. Additionally, Axios reported from three sources that the upcoming round of talks may be postponed.
Grossi emphasized that “the Iranian nuclear deal is in the past,” stating, “I don’t believe that Iran and the US are aiming for a new nuclear agreement.” He further noted that “uranium enrichment is a central issue in negotiations for any new deal” between the two nations, adding that Iran’s accumulation of large amounts of highly enriched uranium is “concerning.”
He revealed that this issue is part of ongoing technical discussions between Iran and the United States.
This development follows the resumption of US talks with Iran regarding its nuclear program. US and Iranian negotiators are scheduled to meet again in Rome this coming Saturday, although Axios has reported from three sources that there may be a delay in the fourth round of negotiations.
Former President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement during his first term, which had imposed strict limits on Iran’s uranium enrichment activities in exchange for easing sanctions. Trump also reimposed comprehensive US sanctions and repeatedly expressed confidence in reaching a new deal that would prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb.