Iran (IMNA) -In an interview with Fox News, Witkoff said Trump questioned why Tehran has not “capitulated” in the face of what he characterized as substantial US naval and sea power deployed around Iran.
“The president asked me that this morning, and he’s — I don’t wanna use the word frustrated… because he understands he’s got plenty of alternatives, but… he’s curious as to why they haven’t, I don’t wanna use the word capitulated, but why they haven’t capitulated,” Witkoff said.
He suggested that Washington expects Iran to formally declare that it is not seeking a nuclear weapon and to present concrete steps demonstrating that commitment.
Witkoff’s comments come as Iranian officials have repeatedly emphasized the peaceful nature of the country’s nuclear program. Tehran has consistently stated that it does not seek nuclear weapons and maintains that its nuclear activities are solely for civilian purposes. Iranian authorities have also pointed to a fatwa issued by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution prohibiting the possession and use of weapons of mass destruction.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Witkoff said the United States insists that Iran give up uranium enrichment, describing the issue as a red line for Washington in negotiations.
Iranian officials, however, have repeatedly stressed that they would not accept any agreement requiring zero enrichment inside the country. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently told MSNBC that the United States did not demand “zero uranium enrichment” during recent talks in Geneva. Iranian officials have also criticized what they describe as contradictory statements by American officials in negotiations and in media appearances.
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