Trump Envoy’s Sudden Shift: Iran Must Completely Scrap Nuclear Efforts

Trump Envoy’s Sudden Shift: Iran Must Completely Scrap Nuclear Efforts

Trump Envoy Makes Sudden Demand for Full Iranian Nuclear Shutdown, Reversing Previous Stance

Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s newly appointed special envoy, has abruptly demanded that Iran completely dismantle its nuclear program—a sharp pivot from his remarks just 12 hours earlier where he suggested limited uranium enrichment for civilian purposes could be tolerated.

The dramatic change, made public via a social media statement on Tuesday, has raised concerns about instability in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in relation to the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran.

From Civil Enrichment to Complete Elimination

In an interview aired the night before on Fox News, Witkoff had acknowledged that Iran might continue enriching uranium up to 3.67%—a level permissible under international norms for civilian use.

“They say it’s for energy. Fine, but not above 3.67%,” he said, warning that enrichment at 20% and 60% was unacceptable and would require strict verification mechanisms.

However, just hours later, Witkoff issued a much harsher directive, stating:

“Iran must halt and dismantle its entire enrichment and weaponisation program. This is non-negotiable. President Trump wants a tough, enduring deal.”

This hardline U-turn is expected to make diplomatic progress far more difficult and has raised the specter of renewed military tensions over Iranian nuclear facilities.

Shifting Venue, Growing Uncertainty

While the next round of indirect US-Iran talks will still proceed this Saturday in Oman, an earlier proposal to shift the discussions to Italy has been quietly dropped, adding another layer of unpredictability.

Observers suggest that internal White House pressure from hardliners may have forced the sudden change. Some argue Witkoff’s earlier stance was dangerously close to resurrecting aspects of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal—a pact Trump famously abandoned in 2018, calling it “flawed and unenforceable.”

Diplomatic Inexperience, Mixed Messaging

Witkoff, a real estate executive-turned-negotiator, has no formal background in diplomacy. Critics say his dual roles in attempting breakthroughs in Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran have led to erratic and conflicting messaging.

“Witkoff is more of a spokesman than a strategist,” one analyst noted. “He may have thought his initial proposal reflected the president’s view—until it didn’t.”

Iran’s Response: Frustration and Distrust

Tehran is reportedly stunned. The abrupt pivot is seen as fueling distrust among Iranian moderates, while emboldening hardliners who insist the U.S. cannot be taken at its word.

This is especially significant given that a rare moment of consensus had emerged in Iran, with optimism that negotiations could ease U.S. sanctions—the most hopeful development in over a decade of tense relations.

The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, who met with Witkoff last weekend, had been cautiously optimistic. Now, officials fear the fragile progress may unravel.

UN Involvement: Inspectors on the Ground

As tensions rise, Rafael Grossi, head of the UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA), is scheduled to visit Iran this week. His aim: to secure broader access for inspectors and assess the reality on the ground—though the diplomatic climate may now complicate those efforts.

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Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump, Iran nuclear deal, uranium enrichment, US foreign policy, Iran sanctions, nuclear negotiations, Fox News, IAEA, Rafael Grossi, Abbas Araghchi, Oman talks, nuclear program, US-Iran relations, Middle East diplomacy, Trump envoy, Iran hardliners, civil nuclear program, enrichment limits, international diplomacy

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