US Open to Dialogue with Iran, But Still Won't Allow Uranium Enrichment

Morgan Ortagus. (Wikimedia Commons/State Department/Ron Przysuch)

JAKARTA - A senior US diplomat said on Tuesday that Washington remained open to talks with Iran on a new nuclear deal, but reiterated that President Donald Trump's administration would not allow enrichment in Iran.

"We want to make it clear to the whole world: the United States remains ready for formal talks with Iran, but only if Tehran is ready for direct and meaningful dialogue," said US Special Representative for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, launching Al Arabiya (24/12).

Speaking at a briefing of the UN Security Council on nonproliferation, Ortagus responded to a statement by Iran's Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, who accused Washington of refusing to engage in "fair negotiations" by insisting on zero enrichment.

Ortagus stressed that Washington would not negotiate publicly.

"Of course, not here," he said, speaking from New York.

"However, we have explained some specific expectations for each agreement. Most importantly, there should be no uranium enrichment in Iran, and that remains our principle," he said.

Referring to his work in the two presidencies of the Republican Party, Ortagus said President Donald Trump had offered diplomacy to Tehran in both of his terms.

"But instead of accepting that diplomatic hand, you continue to put your hand in the fire. Back away from the fire, sir, and accept President Trump's diplomatic hand. It has been extended to you," he said.

Washington and Tehran held several rounds of talks to reach a new nuclear deal earlier this year.

But those talks stalled after a 12-day war between Iran and Israel, which was then followed by the US as they bombed Iranian nuclear sites.