Iran rejects US request to close nuclear

Iran has rejected U.S. demands to shut down three key nuclear facilities—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—and to transfer all its enriched uranium stockpiles, according to The Wall Street Journal. Tehran previously proposed temporarily halting enrichment, shipping part of its stockpiles to a third country, and reaching economic agreements. Within Iran, officials have denied WSJ reports: enrichment will continue, nothing is being shipped out, and alternative options including dilution are being considered. The main goal is the complete lifting of sanctions. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reported good progress: technical consultations will begin Monday in Vienna, and a new round of negotiations will start in less than a week. Trump representatives Whitaker and Kushner left the meeting disappointed.

Context

The situation surrounding Iran's nuclear program has already caused tension between Iran and the United States, and international efforts to engage Tehran in dialogue continue.