Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Envoy and the US representative in nuclear talks with Iran’s foreign minister to Fox: “Iran must not possess nuclear weapons, and it should not enrich uranium beyond 3.67%.”
By AMICHAI STEINAPRIL 15, 2025 06:06Updated: APRIL 15, 2025 08:50
US President Donald Trump is seeking to limit Iran’s uranium enrichment to 3.67%, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News on Monday night.
This is a significant statement, as it is considerably more lenient than the Israeli demand—publicly voiced by the Prime Minister—which calls for the “Libyan model,” meaning the complete physical dismantling of Iran’s military nuclear facilities.
“Iran should not have nuclear weapons. This can be achieved through an agreement—but only if it’s a Libya-style agreement,” said Prime Minister Netanyahu following his meeting with President Trump last Monday. “That means going in, blowing up the facilities, dismantling all the equipment—under American supervision and executed by the US”
Last week, the Post reported that the US administration would allow Iran to retain a civilian nuclear program—even as part of a nuclear agreement. “Trump said Iran will not have nuclear weapons. Military nuclear facilities—no. Civilian nuclear program—yes,” said a source familiar with the details of the Netanyahu-Trump meeting to The Jerusalem Post.
In recent days, amid questions regarding President Trump’s stance, Israeli officials and European diplomats have expressed concern that Trump may settle for a nuclear deal that doesn’t genuinely prevent Iran from advancing toward nuclear weapons, should it decide to do so. “Our concern is that the administration’s position will ultimately be weak,” Israeli officials told the Post.
Donald Trump seen with a model of an Iranian missile (illustrative) (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS, REUTERS/Nathan Howard)
“This is the Obama JCPOA—repackaged,” said Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), to the Post. “Did we really leave it in 2018 just to return to it in 2025—especially now, when we have maximum leverage? I’m curious how this version avoids the same fatal flaws that made the 2015 deal so dangerous.
Steve Witkoff added in his Fox interview that there must be oversight on armament issues, including missiles, the types Iran has accumulated, and even the activation mechanisms of a nuclear bomb. Iran has previously refused to agree to such demands.
“In principle, the original nuclear deal can be improved—for example, by extending its duration (removing the sunset clause on the reimposition of sanctions) and by enhancing the International Atomic Energy Agency’s inspection mechanisms,” Witkoff stated.
However, according to Dr. Raz Zimmt, senior researcher and Iran expert at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), “The progress Iran has made, especially in advanced enrichment (higher levels and advanced centrifuges), including in knowledge, technology, and R&D, cannot be undone.
Therefore, it is difficult to envision a significantly improved agreement compared to 2015—especially in terms of the breakout time to a bomb, which was then about a year.”
Iran expected to oppose US proposal
According to The Guardian, Iran is expected to oppose the US proposal in the nuclear talks to transfer its enriched uranium stockpile to a third country. The report states that Tehran insists its enriched uranium must remain in Iran “under strict supervision by the International Atomic Energy Agency.”
On Saturday, the parties are expected to reconvene in Oman to continue negotiations. This week, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is also scheduled to visit Tehran.
Content retrieved from: https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-850149.
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