Nuclear talks stalemate as US and Iran clash at UN Security Council
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The United States and Iran exchanged sharp remarks at the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday over the conditions for reviving stalled nuclear negotiations.
Washington insisted on strict limits, and Tehran rejected what it called coercive demands.
The exchange comes months after five rounds of nuclear talks collapsed ahead of a 12-day conflict in June between Iran and Israel, during which the United States joined Israel in striking Iranian nuclear facilities.
A central sticking point remains uranium enrichment on Iranian soil. Western powers argue that enrichment poses a risk of nuclear weaponisation, while Iran maintains that it has a sovereign right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
“The United States remains available for formal talks with Iran, but only if Tehran is prepared for direct and meaningful dialogue,” said Morgan Ortagus, US Deputy Middle East Envoy, addressing the Security Council. “We have been clear about our expectations. Foremost, there can be no enrichment inside Iran, and that remains our principle,” she added.
Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani rejected the US position, accusing Washington of undermining the prospects of genuine negotiations.
“We appreciate any fair and meaningful negotiation, but insisting on a zero-enrichment policy is contrary to our rights as a member of the NPT,” Iravani said, referring to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. “They want to dictate their predetermined intentions. Iran will not bow down to any pressure and intimidation,” he added.
Tensions have further escalated after the United Nations reinstated an arms embargo and other sanctions on Iran in late September through a mechanism known as “snapback,” triggered by Britain, France, and Germany. The European powers cited alleged Iranian violations of the 2015 nuclear deal.
Russia and China disputed the snapback move, arguing that the provisions of the Security Council resolution underpinning the 2015 agreement expired on October 18. Despite their objections, the Security Council meeting proceeded as scheduled.
Iran continues to deny seeking nuclear weapons, insisting that its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes.
The 2015 nuclear agreement is enshrined in a Security Council resolution, and the council has met biannually since then to review its implementation. Tuesday’s briefing was requested by Britain, France, the United States, Denmark, Greece, Slovenia, and South Korea.