Iran Doubts Nuclear Deal Prospects as US Negotiations Restart: Key Insights from Sources | CNN

Negotiations between Iran and the United States have reached a critical point. Recently, the fifth round of nuclear talks began in Rome. However, there’s growing doubt among Iranian officials about the potential for an agreement.

As talks progressed, two Iranian sources expressed skepticism, indicating that the U.S. insists on dismantling Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Iranian leaders view this demand as a dealbreaker.

One source mentioned that Iran’s primary aim in participating in the talks is to understand the U.S. stance better, rather than to strike a deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized the nation’s key issues before leaving for Rome, stating, “Zero nuclear weapons equals a deal; zero enrichment equals no deal.”

The response from the U.S. has been firm. They previously pushed for Iran to halt all enrichment activities. This insistence has raised alarms in Tehran, where officials see it as a lack of sincerity in negotiations, undermining hopes for a diplomatic solution.

Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes. They claim willingness to restrict uranium enrichment but draw a line at zero enrichment. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to hint at easing economic sanctions in exchange for nuclear concessions.

The situation became more complex with the announcement of new U.S. sanctions targeting Iran’s construction sector, which the State Department claims is associated with military activities. This has only fueled tensions, with Iranian officials accusing the U.S. of hindering diplomatic progress.

Experts have weighed in, pointing out that a perception exists in Washington that a weakened Iran would be more pliable in negotiations. Ali Vaez from the International Crisis Group suggests otherwise, saying the opposite is true. A compromised Iran may resist making significant concessions. “Capitulation is seen as worse than an Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities,” he added.

As negotiations proceed, Iranian officials seem to feel pressured, doubting U.S. intentions. “The U.S. approach has made discussions unproductive,” say insiders from Tehran. They anticipate that without meaningful concessions, Iran may adopt a tougher stance.

External factors complicate these discussions further. Experts warn that if tensions lead to military action—like an Israeli strike on Iran—it could derail talks entirely. Trita Parsi from the Quincy Institute stated that if Israel takes action, it may provoke a significant response from Tehran.

This raises a crucial question: Can diplomacy survive amidst growing hostility? Sanam Vakil from Chatham House urges for quiet backchannel talks to foster a more constructive atmosphere. In a world where perceptions clash with reality, the path to a peaceful resolution appears more challenging than ever.

As the situation unfolds, open dialogue and genuine intentions will be vital. Both nations must seek common ground to address the underlying issues, moving away from a zero-sum game mentality.

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