Whittaker: Iran should not increase uranium enrichment above 3.67 percent

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Whittaker, Trump’s special representative for the Middle East and responsible for negotiations with Iran, emphasized the need to limit Iran’s uranium enrichment to a maximum of 3.67 percent in an interview with Fox News. He stated that Iran does not need to enrich above this level for peaceful purposes and is currently enriching at levels of 60 and 20 percent, which, according to him, the current situation cannot continue.

 

He linked the two main axes of future talks with Iran to the two issues of verification of the enrichment program and preventing the militarization of the country's nuclear program. He said: "Verification of the enrichment program and monitoring of Iran's missile stockpiles will be top priorities."

 

The American official also referred to the first meetings with the Iranian side, evaluating them as positive and constructive, and expressed hope that they could resolve the issues through diplomacy and dialogue.

 

The Fox News host then asked him if this would include inspections anywhere and anytime by US inspectors, to which he confirmed, expressing concern about the lack of trust in the United Nations. Hook said: "I don't trust the United Nations and I don't think you do either."

 

He also emphasized that the devil will be in the details of the agreement and hopes that verification will be a central point in any major agreement. Hook stressed that the verification efforts of the past few years before the Trump administration were not strong enough and that this trend must change.

 

According to Whittaker, if the verification process is not carried out properly, the United States will have to look for alternative ways that will benefit no one. The remarks by the Trump administration’s special representative exacerbate concerns about the nuclear agreements and the state of Iran’s nuclear program and indicate the challenges facing future negotiations.