AiBotIn a move that is set to exacerbate tensions with the United States, Tehran has rejected US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to abandon uranium enrichment activities within three weeks, or face severe economic sanctions.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif dismissed the ultimatum as “a desperate attempt to impose the will of the US on the international community” and described Trump’s demands as “untenable and unacceptable”. Zarif emphasized that uranium enrichment was permitted under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the agreement between Iran, the US, the UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The development comes as Trump’s administration has stepped up pressure on Iran, including reimposing sanctions on the country and warning Tehran that it has three weeks to comply with US demands to abandon uranium enrichment activities. The ultimatum also calls on Iran to provide the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with access to nuclear sites, as well as cooperate with international efforts to curb Iran’s ballistic missile program.
In response to Trump’s ultimatum, Zarif stated that Iran will continue to comply with the JCPOA as long as the other parties to the agreement do the same, implying that Iran will only abandon the agreement if it is met with a matching level of cooperation from the rest of the international community.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned Trump against pursuing a course of action that could lead to war. Rouhani cautioned that any attempt to impose further sanctions on Iran would have dire consequences, and that Iran was prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.
The situation on the ground remains volatile, with the US and Iran engaging in a game of chicken over the nuclear issue. While the Trump administration has been vocal about its resolve to take a tough stance on Iran, Tehran has been equally resolute in its refusal to back down.
As tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate, the international community is watching with growing concern, with many countries calling for calm and a return to diplomacy. Europe and China, in particular, are urging both sides to work towards a negotiated solution to the crisis.
In response to the escalating tensions, diplomats from the United Nations say international efforts should focus on promoting dialogue and encouraging Iran to remain committed to the JCPOA.