Focus on the BIG picture.
Saturday, Mar 21, 2026

US warns that if Sunday Iran talks aren’t productive, ‘they won’t continue’

US warns that if Sunday Iran talks aren’t productive, ‘they won’t continue’

US Special Envoy Signals Potential Shift in Strategy if Upcoming Discussions Fail to Yield Results
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has issued a warning that future negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program will not continue if the upcoming talks scheduled for Sunday do not yield productive results.

Witkoff emphasized that a lack of progress could lead the United States to reassess its approach.

In an interview, he noted that the US had refrained from holding another round of talks prior to this weekend to allow for clearer understandings with Iran, which are deemed necessary for meaningful discussions.

The upcoming high-level talks in Oman are expected to focus on a broader framework for future negotiations, although a technical team responsible for detailed aspects such as sanctions relief is not anticipated to participate.

Sources indicate that these discussions could involve both direct and indirect exchanges between the two nations.

Witkoff elaborated on the US expectations for the negotiations, stating unequivocally that an enrichment program must be dismantled, describing it as a 'red line' for the US.

This encompasses dismantling Iran’s enrichment facilities located at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, and ensuring that no processes related to weaponization are permitted.

In contrast, Iranian officials maintain that the ability to enrich uranium is a non-negotiable right.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reinforced this stance, asserting on social media that Iran has every right to possess the full nuclear fuel cycle.

Witkoff also drew parallels between the Iran negotiations and talks previously held with Russia concerning the Ukraine conflict, suggesting that the US may present incentives aimed at fostering a more cooperative relationship.

He expressed a vision where Iran could integrate into the international community, with opportunities for strategic partnerships contingent on Iran ceasing provocative actions.

The discussions will be exclusively centered on Iran's nuclear ambitions, marking a departure from earlier attempts by the Trump administration that sought to address a wider spectrum of issues, including Iran's regional activities and support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Witkoff acknowledged the US stance on Iran's regional behavior but emphasized that such topics should remain distinct from the urgent nuclear discussions, which are deemed essential and immediate.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Ally Steve Daines Plans Landmark Visit to Hong Kong, First by US Senator Since 2019
President Trump Honors Military Excellence at Commander in Chief Trophy Ceremony
White House Launches Sweeping Anti-Fraud Task Force to Protect Federal Benefits
White House Unveils Light-Touch AI Regulation Strategy to Boost Innovation and Global Leadership
Trump Administration Expands Campaign to Counter European Content Restrictions
Trump Administration Delays Bank Citizenship Order Following Wall Street Concerns
CBS News to Shut Down Century-Old Radio Service as Bari Weiss Drives Strategic Overhaul
Washington State’s New Millionaire Tax Sparks Debate Over ‘Marriage Penalty’
Senator Ernst Pushes New Effort to Expose Hidden Federal Spending Practices
Washington County Considers Renaming Road to Honor Charlie J. Kirk
Remains of Fallen Soldier Repatriated Following Death in Saudi Arabia
Iran Issues Stark Warning to Britain Over US Base Access Amid Expanding Conflict
United Kingdom Authorizes US Strikes from British Bases as Iran Threatens Key Shipping Routes
US–Australia Tensions Intensify as Strategic Rift Tests Albanese Government at Home
Apple issues an unusual warning: this is how your iPhone can be hacked without you doing anything
‘Good Trip’ and ‘The Sea Speaks His Name’ Take Top Honors at Hong Kong Film Financing Forum
East Texas Secures $16 Billion Gas Power Hub Under U.S.-Japan Investment Drive
Trump Administration Rejects Oil Export Ban in Talks With Energy Leaders
Trump Hosts Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for High-Stakes White House Talks
Trump Hosts Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for High-Stakes White House Talks
Pentagon Moves Toward $200 Billion Funding Push as Iran Conflict Expands
U.S. Weighs Easing Iran Oil Sanctions as Gulf Energy Attacks Shake Global Markets
Vance Faces Political Crossroads as Support for Military Action Tests His Base
Trump Confronts Limits of Federal Reserve Authority as Powell Remains in Place
Washington State Moves to Ban Masked Law Enforcement Officers Under New Proposal
Washington State Moves to Tackle DUI Testing Backlog with New Legislation
US Investigates Drone Sightings Over Washington Military Residential Area
US Investigates Drone Sightings Over Washington Military Residential Area
Trump Reshapes Federal Watchdog System, Blurring Traditional Oversight Boundaries
United States Urges Citizens to Leave Saudi Arabia Amid Escalating Regional Conflict
Markets Look to Trump–Xi Summit for Direction as Conflict Shakes Hong Kong and China Stocks
Markets Look to Trump–Xi Summit for Direction as Conflict Shakes Hong Kong and China Stocks
White House Expands Digital Infrastructure as Pentagon Advances Trump’s UFO Disclosure Directive
Judge Signals Possible Intervention in Trump’s Proposed $400 Million White House Ballroom Project
Washington State Lawmakers Overhaul Estate Tax Structure, Introduce New Income-Based Measure
Northern Ireland Delegation Marks St Patrick’s Day in Washington with Focus on U.S. 250th Anniversary
Northern Ireland Delegation Marks St Patrick’s Day in Washington with Focus on U.S. 250th Anniversary
Gabbard Says Iranian Leadership Weakened but Remains Operational, Briefs Senators
Gabbard Says Iranian Leadership Weakened but Remains Operational, Briefs Senators
Portland’s Unconventional Housing Strategy Gains National Attention for Cutting Costs
Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates Steady as Iran Conflict Adds Global Uncertainty
Washington Governor Signs Measure Strengthening Safeguards Against Double Voting
ICE Enforcement Activity Surges in Washington State, University of Washington Report Finds
Trump-Backed Voting Bill Sparks Debate Over Electoral Strategy and Risks
Washington State Expands Direct EV Sales Exception to Rivian and Lucid
Washington State Expands Direct EV Sales Exception to Rivian and Lucid
U.S. Lawmakers Press Rubio to Enforce Strong Safeguards in Saudi Nuclear Deal
TrumpRx Pricing Platform Faces Scrutiny as Some Medicines Remain Costlier Than in the UK
Trump Declares U.S. Self-Reliance as Allies Decline Iran Mission Support
Trump Hosts Irish Prime Minister at White House, Reinforcing Transatlantic Ties on St Patrick’s Day
×