Washington [US], May 28: Despite hopes based on suggestions that a deal between the United States and Iran may be near, the two sides have continued to issue conflicting statements, signalling an ongoing diplomatic impasse.
Speaking at Wednesday's cabinet meeting, US President Donald Trump said Iran would not receive any sanctions relief as a result of the negotiations, despite Iran's demands otherwise. "We're not talking about any easing of sanctions or giving money."
Earlier in the day, in an interview with PBS News, the US president also reiterated his claim that Iran would surrender its reserves of enriched uranium. "They're going to give up their highly enriched uranium, not for sanctions relief. No, no, not at all," Trump told PBS News.
Those comments followed similar remarks on Monday, when Trump said the enriched uranium "will either be immediately turned over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed or, preferably, in conjunction and coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, destroyed in place".
But Tehran has said it would not let go of the estimated 440kg (970 lbs) of nuclear material it possesses.
More than one month ago, Trump claimed that Iran had agreed to allow the US to retrieve the uranium at a "leisurely pace", but Tehran was quick to deny the statement.
The back-and-forth over the future of Iran's nuclear programme remains one of many points of divergence in the ceasefire negotiations, as the US and Iran seek an end to the war started more than 12 weeks ago.
The two sides have also clashed over issues including the continuation of US sanctions against Iran, the US blockade on Tehran's ports and control over the Strait of Hormuz, a major trade artery.
"They want very much to make a deal," Trump said of Iran. But he added that the current negotiations had fallen short of his expectations. "We're not satisfied with it, but we will be. We will be. Either that or we'll have to just finish the job," Trump said, suggesting further military action.
Source: Qatar Tribune
