Negotiations between the United States and Iran collapsed after Iranian representatives openly insisted they intended to continue enriching uranium at levels that could support the development of nuclear weapons, according to Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy.
Witkoff said the American delegation was stunned when Iranian negotiators made their position clear at the very beginning of the discussions. He recalled exchanging uneasy glances with Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, as Iranian officials emphasized what they described as their sovereign right to enrich uranium.
“The Iranians made it clear from the start that they believe they have an undeniable right to enrich all the uranium they possess,” Witkoff said during an interview with Fox News. “That was how they opened the talks.”
U.S. negotiators quickly rejected the claim. Witkoff explained that the American position was that Iran should completely halt its uranium enrichment program. Rather than reconsidering their stance, Iranian officials doubled down, reinforcing their insistence that enrichment would continue.
“At that point Jared and I just looked at each other like, ‘Is this really happening?’” Witkoff recalled.
The talks ultimately unraveled when Iran rejected a proposal from the United States that would have required Tehran to freeze uranium enrichment for a decade. Under the proposal, the United States would have provided Iran with nuclear fuel at no cost, eliminating the need for domestic enrichment.
According to Witkoff, Iran’s refusal signaled that the country had no intention of abandoning its enrichment program.
“That was the moment we realized they weren’t interested in anything other than continuing to enrich uranium,” he said.
During the negotiations, Iranian officials also acknowledged the size of their current uranium stockpile. Witkoff said two Iranian representatives confirmed they possessed roughly 460 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity.
That level of enrichment is widely considered to be near weapons-grade. Witkoff said the Iranian negotiators openly discussed the possibility that the material could potentially be converted into enough nuclear fuel for up to 11 bombs.
“They weren’t hiding it,” Witkoff said. “They were proud of it.”
He added that the Iranian delegation also suggested they were capable of evading international monitoring systems while continuing to expand their uranium reserves.
Tensions reached a breaking point during a meeting in Geneva last Thursday. According to reporting by NBC News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi raised his voice during the session after the U.S. team again demanded a ten-year suspension of enrichment.
Witkoff said he responded calmly to the outburst.
“I told him, ‘If you prefer, I can leave,’” Witkoff said.
After the negotiations collapsed, the U.S. delegation briefed President Trump on the outcome. A senior administration official said the president was surprised by how openly the Iranian representatives insisted on continuing enrichment.
Witkoff said the experience made it clear to the American side that Iran was not serious about reaching a compromise.
“President Trump sent us to determine whether Iran truly wanted a deal,” he said. “But by the second meeting it was clear that a meaningful agreement wasn’t possible.”
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance has emphasized that the United States will not become trapped in a prolonged Middle East conflict if Trump authorizes further military action against Iran.
Speaking aboard Air Force Two on Thursday, Vance said the administration has no intention of pursuing a long-term military occupation or a nation-building campaign involving large numbers of American troops.
“The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight—there is no chance that will happen,” Vance told The Washington Post.
The United States has long argued that uranium enrichment within Iran provides a potential pathway to developing nuclear weapons. Washington has repeatedly stated that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon under any circumstances.
Following an appearance on “Jesse Watters Primetime” earlier this week, Vance reinforced that position on social media.
“President Trump will not drag the United States into a years-long conflict with no clear objective,” he wrote. “Iran can never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. That is the goal of this operation, and President Trump will see it through.”
