Iran remains optimistic about ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States but continues to reject US demands for halting uranium enrichment, the country's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
“Enrichment is an inseparable part of Iran’s nuclear industry and must be maintained. We are in no way permitted to show even the slightest flexibility on this issue,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Monday speaking at a press conference.
Baghaei denied reports suggesting Iran could freeze enrichment for three years to secure a deal.
“Iran will never accept that,” he said, adding that no date had yet been set for a sixth round of talks with Washington.
Baghaei's remarks come a day come after US President Donald Trump said that “real progress” had been made in recent talks with Iran and suggested there could be “some good news” in the coming days.
“Very importantly, we had some very good talks with Iran yesterday and today, and let's see what happens. But I think we could have some good news on the Iran front. We've had some real progress, serious progress," Trump told reporters in New Jersey before departing for Washington.
Referring to his threats in March that if a deal was not struck within a two-month deadline, there would be "bombing like they have never seen before", Trump said he hopes the diplomatic paths succeed.
"I’d love that to happen because I’d love to see no bombs dropped and a lot of people dead. I really would like to see that happen.”
Baghaei for his part said Iran is awaiting further details from mediator Oman regarding the next meeting. “If there is goodwill from the American side, we are also optimistic, but if talks are aimed at curbing Iran's rights then talks will get nowhere,” he added.
He said that if Washington's aim is simply to ensure Iran’s program remains non-military, that has already been achieved. “But if the goal is to deprive Iran of its rights, we do not believe this process will reach any outcome,” he said.
Enrichment remains a red line for Tehran. Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching uranium to 60% U-235, a level that causes "serious concern," according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
The IAEA has consistently maintained that there is no credible civilian use for uranium enriched to this level, which is a short technical step from weapons-grade 90% fissile material.
Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium had increased to 275 kg, enough to theoretically make about half a dozen weapons if Iran further enriches the uranium.
