NUCLEAR PROGRAMME
While Trump initially focused on protest crackdown, he soon pivoted to Iran’s nuclear programme – a long-standing point of contention. Western powers have accused Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons, allegations Iran denies.
The United States has pushed for a total ban on all uranium enrichment, even for civilian purposes, while Tehran maintains its nuclear programme is strictly peaceful, despite enriching uranium to 60 per cent – a level exceeding civilian requirements.
Washington and Tehran opened indirect talks in Geneva this week in an attempt to revive a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme.
On Tuesday, in his State of the Union address to Congress, Trump spoke of Iran’s “sinister nuclear ambitions” and accused Tehran of seeking to develop weapons that could hit the United States.
The latest round of negotiations concluded on Thursday without an agreement as Washington reportedly sought to have negotiations include Tehran’s ballistic missile programme and regional network of proxy militias.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Friday that Washington must abandon its “excessive demands” if it hopes to secure an agreement, without specifying which terms he was referring to.
BALLISTIC MISSILES
The US president expressed frustration after Tehran refused to address its ballistic missile programme during the latest negotiations.
Israel has also pushed for the issue to be addressed, warning that Iran’s short- and medium-range missile arsenals pose a direct threat to its security.
Trump said Wednesday that Tehran has developed missiles capable of threatening Europe and US military bases overseas, warning that the regime is also developing weapons that “will soon reach” the United States.
But the Islamic republic said it refuses to negotiate on its ballistic missiles, asserting its right to self-defence.
