Latest Developments
Top Trump Official Adamant on Iranian Nuclear Weapons: U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on March 16, “all options are on the table to ensure” that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon. In a television interview with ABC News*,* Waltz reiterated the U.S. demand that the Islamic Republic verifiably relinquish all aspects of its nuclear program, including its missile program, weaponization efforts, and uranium enrichment activities. “They can either hand it over and give it up in a way that is verifiable, or they can face a whole series of other consequences, but either way, we cannot have a world with the Ayatollahs with their finger on the nuclear button,” Waltz said.
Regime Official Meets With IAEA Chief: Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, met on March 17 with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi. According to Gharibabadi, their discussions were “frank and constructive” and focused on “Iran-IAEA cooperation, the security of the nuclear facilities, the latest developments surrounding the nuclear issue, and the lifting of sanctions.” The IAEA warned on March 3 that Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed state enriching uranium to 60 percent, or near weapons-grade level.
Iran to Respond to Trump Letter: Iran stated that it would respond to U.S. President Donald Trump’s letter proposing negotiations over its nuclear program “after proper scrutiny.” Trump sent a letter on March 5 to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei expressing his desire to reach a deal on Iran’s nuclear program while also not ruling out military action if Tehran does not cooperate. The president said that he “would rather negotiate a deal” with Iran but affirmed the United States’ longstanding policy that “we can’t let them have a nuclear weapon.”
FDD Expert Response
“The administration is wise to jettison the failed arms control approach of the past with Iran and accept nothing less than the full, permanent, and verified disarmament of Tehran’s nuclear weapons enterprise. Thanks to Iran’s weak position — both economically and defensively through Israel’s decimation of its proxies, air defense, and missile production capabilities — Trump has a chance to reach a lasting solution to the Iran nuclear crisis that safeguards the security of the United States and key allies.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow
“It is imperative to prevent Iran from acquiring the world’s most dangerous weapon. Iran already sponsors terrorist attacks around the world, brutalizes its own people, and has plotted to assassinate Donald Trump, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and several other Americans. Imagine how recklessly unconstrained Iran would be if it felt insulated by a nuclear arsenal. Before it is too late, the Trump administration must put Tehran to a stark choice: either Iran fully, permanently, and verifiably ends its nuclear weapons program, or the U.S. military obliterates Iran’s nuclear weapons program.” —Orde Kittrie, Senior Fellow
“Maximum pressure sanctions can and should be used to pave the way for dismantling the Islamic Republic’s atomic infrastructure. Outsourcing tough U.S. foreign policy decisions to Israel does not exemplify “America First.” President Trump has an opportunity to build on the wins from his first term, drive Iran’s supreme leader to the precipice, and shrink the number of resources available to his regime.” — Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow
FDD Background and Analysis
“Iran’s Nuclear Disarmament,” by Orde Kittrie, Andrea Stricker, and Behnam Ben Taleblu
“Russia and China to Discuss Iranian Nuclear Program Following Joint Naval Drills,” FDD Flash Brief
“Trump Ends Sanctions Waiver on Iraq’s Purchase of Iranian Electricity,” FDD Flash Brief
“No negotiations before total Iranian nuclear rollback,” by Mark Dubowitz and Jacob Nagel
Issues:
Biodefense International Organizations Iran Iran Nuclear Military and Political Power Nonproliferation