Rubio Says Iran Must ‘Walk Away’ From Uranium Enrichment as Weekend Nuclear Talks Postponed

Latest Developments

• Rubio Sets Terms: U.S. Secretary of State and interim National Security Advisor Marco Rubio said on May 1 that any potential agreement with Iran regarding the future of its nuclear program must include a complete halt to uranium enrichment as well as long-range missile production. “They have to walk away from sponsoring terrorists, they have to walk away from helping the Houthis, they have to walk away from building long-range missiles that have no purpose to exist other than having nuclear weapons [mounted to them], and they have to walk away from enrichment,” Rubio asserted.
• Talks Postponed: The fourth round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, originally scheduled for May 3 in Rome, has been postponed following Tehran’s objections to newly imposed U.S. sanctions against its oil industry. “U.S. sanctions on Iran during the nuclear talks are not helping the sides to resolve the nuclear dispute through diplomacy,” an Iranian official said, adding that a new date will be announced “depending on the U.S. approach.” Tehran also accused Washington of “contradictory behavior and provocative statements” after U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that the Islamic Republic would “pay the consequence” for providing “lethal support” to the Houthis in Yemen.
• Framework of a Deal: Despite Rubio’s call for zero enrichment, Reuters reported on May 2 that a prospective nuclear agreement with Iran would likely expand upon the framework established by the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, from which the United States withdrew in 2018 during President Donald Trump’s first term. The updated deal would aim to tighten verification measures, limit Tehran’s stockpile, restrict the types of centrifuges used, and require the Islamic Republic to dilute, export, or seal its existing stock of 60 percent enriched, near weapons-grade uranium. It would also seek to impose permanent limits on uranium enrichment to deter a potential nuclear breakout.

FDD Expert Response

“Neither Tehran’s spokesmen nor the State Department gave a clear explanation for why the talks have been postponed, but here’s my best guess: Iran’s rulers want a concession or two in exchange for continuing to negotiate. They think President Trump needs the talks more than they do. They would be happy to revive President Obama’s fatally flawed Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. What they don’t want is what President Trump has demanded: the ‘dismantlement’ of their nuclear weapons program and an end to their development of long-range missiles.” — Clifford D. May, Founder and President

“National Security Advisor/Secretary Rubio’s comments show a solid grasp of the need for Iran’s full nuclear disarmament, including how close any domestic enrichment puts Tehran to weapons grade and the need for anywhere, anytime IAEA access. Iran has a choice to become like the 23 other non-nuclear weapon countries — that have nuclear power but no enrichment — by importing this proliferation-sensitive fuel.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘Stem the Flow of Revenue’: U.S. Sanctions Illicit Traders of Iranian Oil,” FDD Flash Brief

“Maximum Pressure on Tehran Regime in Motion as Trump Builds Negotiating Leverage,” by Janatan Sayeh and Behnam Ben Taleblu

“FAQ: What Should Be Washington’s Position on Iran’s Nuclear Dismantlement?” by Andrea Stricker and Janatan Sayeh

“Iran’s Nuclear Disarmament,” by Orde Kittrie, Andrea Stricker, and Behnam Ben Taleblu