U.S. negotiations with Iran broke down after Iranian officials openly declared their intention to enrich uranium to levels capable of producing nuclear weapons, according to President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff revealed the details in an interview with Fox News, describing a moment during the talks when Iranian negotiators made their position unmistakably clear.
“The Iranians made it clear from the start that they believe they have an undeniable right to enrich all the uranium they possess,” Witkoff said.
“That was how they opened the talks.”
U.S. Delegation Pushes Back
Witkoff said American negotiators immediately rejected Tehran’s position, insisting the United States had the authority to stop Iran’s enrichment activities altogether.
But instead of softening their stance, Iranian officials doubled down.
Witkoff recalled exchanging a surprised look with fellow negotiator Jared Kushner as the conversation unfolded.
“Jared and I just looked at each other and thought, ‘Is this really happening?’” Witkoff said.
Ten-Year Enrichment Freeze Rejected
According to Witkoff, the negotiations collapsed after Iran rejected a U.S. proposal that would have frozen its enrichment program for a decade.
Under the proposal, the United States offered to supply Iran with nuclear fuel at its own expense during the freeze.
“That was the moment we understood they had no intention of doing anything other than enriching uranium for nuclear weapons,” Witkoff said.
Iran Acknowledged Size of Nuclear Stockpile
Witkoff also said Iranian negotiators openly acknowledged the scale of their nuclear stockpile during the talks.
According to the envoy, two Iranian officials admitted they possessed roughly 460 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent.
Witkoff said the officials acknowledged the material could potentially be converted into as many as 11 nuclear bombs.
“They weren’t hiding it. They were proud,” he said.
He added that Iranian representatives also boasted about avoiding international monitoring systems while expanding their uranium stockpile.
Tense Geneva Meeting
Tensions reportedly escalated further during a meeting in Geneva last Thursday.
According to NBC News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi began shouting during the discussions after the U.S. delegation again demanded a ten-year halt to uranium enrichment.
Witkoff responded calmly.
“If you prefer, I can leave,” he told Araghchi.
Trump Briefed After Talks Collapse
Following the breakdown in negotiations, U.S. officials briefed President Donald Trump on what had happened during the talks.
According to a senior administration official, the president was surprised by how openly Iranian negotiators insisted on continuing enrichment activities.
Witkoff said the negotiations ultimately confirmed that Tehran was not interested in a meaningful compromise.
“President Trump sent us to see if Iran was serious,” Witkoff said.
“But by the second meeting, it was clear a deal was impossible.
“We came to the third meeting in good faith, and they wanted us to project optimism.
“There was nothing optimistic about it.”
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