[Text/Observer Network Chen Sijia] According to a report by the American Cable News Network (CNN) on April 15, US Middle East envoy Wittkopf said on April 14 that the dialogue with Iran would involve inspections of the uranium enrichment program, and he did not demand that Iran completely abandon its nuclear program but emphasized that Iran needs to limit the enrichment level of its uranium below 3.67%. However, less than a day later, Wittkopf's attitude made a 180-degree turn, insisting that Iran must completely stop its uranium enrichment program.

Wittkopf accepted an interview with the American Fox News on April 14. He stated: "The main focus of the dialogue with Iran is around two key points: first, the verification of uranium enrichment, and second, the verification of the weapons development process." Unlike other US officials who demanded that Iran fully stop its nuclear program, he only emphasized that Iran's civilian nuclear projects do not need enriched uranium with levels higher than 3.67%.

Wittkopf said: "They don't need to exceed 3.67% for their uranium enrichment levels. In some cases, they reached 60%. In other cases, they reached 20%. This is unacceptable, and you also don't need enriched uranium at levels higher than 3.67% to run civilian nuclear projects. Therefore, this will largely involve the verification plan for uranium enrichment."

The comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue reached in 2015 once stipulated that within 15 years after the implementation of the agreement, Iran's produced uranium enrichment level must not exceed 3.67%. After the United States unilaterally withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2018, Iran gradually expanded its nuclear program.

However, less than a day later, Wittkopf's attitude made a 180-degree turn. On April 15, Wittkopf posted a statement on the social platform X: "Any final agreement must establish a framework to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East. This means that Iran must stop and abandon its uranium enrichment and weaponization programs. We must create a lasting and fair agreement, which is what President Trump asked me to do."

According to The Guardian, Wittkopf posted this tweet just 12 hours after Fox News broadcast his interview. These two completely opposite positions are difficult to reconcile unless the US government attempts to divide into a temporary agreement requiring Iran to reduce its uranium enrichment levels and a final agreement requiring Iran to completely abandon its nuclear program.

When asked to explain Wittkopf's shift in position, a US government official told CNN: "This is the latest elaboration of the policy."

US Middle East Envoy Steve Wittkopf Visual China

On April 12 local time, the United States and Iran held indirect negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue in the Omani capital Muscat. The US and Iranian delegations were in separate rooms, conveying their respective views and positions through Omani Foreign Minister Badr. Before the end of the talks, under Badr's witness, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi and Wittkopf briefly discussed for a few minutes face-to-face.

Araghchi said after the meeting that the US-Iranian sides had a "productive, calm, and positive" talk. The White House also issued a statement saying it was a "very positive and constructive" meeting.

However, US senior officials quickly threatened Iran, demanding that Iran completely stop its nuclear program. US Defense Secretary Hackett said in an interview with Fox News on April 13: "Iran, come to the negotiation table, negotiate, and completely eliminate your nuclear capabilities."

According to Reuters, President Trump also claimed on April 14 that Iran was "very close" to having nuclear weapons. He believed that Iran intended to delay the negotiation process. "Iran must abandon its nuclear weapons program; they cannot have nuclear weapons." When asked if military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities were included among America's response options, Trump answered: "Of course."

The Guardian analysis said that against the backdrop of the Trump administration's tough talk, Wittkopf's change in stance will increase the difficulty of reaching an agreement between the US and Iran. However, the contradictory statements of US envoys also reflect the chaotic foreign policy of the Trump administration: "He either didn't pay attention to policy details or didn't understand the choices allowed by officials representing him."

But Iran has repeatedly emphasized that its nuclear program is peaceful and will not seek to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. On April 8 local time, Araghchi published an article in The Washington Post stating that there was no evidence indicating that Iran violated its commitment not to seek the development of nuclear weapons. Iran is willing to clarify its peaceful intentions and take necessary measures to eliminate any possible concerns.

Araghchi emphasized that Iran seeks peace but will not yield to threats. He wrote: "If the United States seeks a real diplomatic solution, we have already pointed out the way. If it wants to impose its will through pressure, it must understand one thing: Iranians will firmly respond to threats of force with unity. The United States has the opportunity to have a president who achieves peace; whether it seizes this opportunity depends on its choice."

Supreme Leader of Iran Khamenei said on April 15: "Negotiations may produce results, or they may not. Regarding this, we will neither be overly optimistic nor overly pessimistic. Of course, we are skeptical of the US side, but we are confident in our own capabilities." He emphasized that Iran's national development does not depend on the outcome of negotiations.

But Khamenei also said that the current progress in the first step of negotiations with the US is satisfactory. He urged Iranian officials to continue negotiations in the future with the same caution.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Bagaei revealed on April 14 that after consultations, Iran and the United States decided to hold the second round of talks in the Omani capital Muscat on April 19 local time.

This article is an exclusive article of the Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7493791495770702399/

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