The head of Iran's nuclear agency has ruled out any limits on uranium enrichment, raising doubts that the current ceasefire will not lead to a peace deal. It comes as the US and Israel have insisted throughout the conflict that the main goal is to stop Iran's ability to build nuclear weapons. Tensions are rising ahead of talks planned this weekend in Islamabad.
It is unclear who is making key decisions in Iran after the collapse of its leadership, but several senior officials have made comments questioning the progress of the negotiations. Washington worries that these positions weaken the basis for talks with the United States. The situation reflects the major diplomatic challenges facing both sides.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that Iran must either hand over its enriched uranium or the US will intervene to take it. This is disputed by Iran's Atomic Energy Agency, which has signaled that negotiations will be difficult. The uranium issue remains a major sticking point between the two countries.
