US Insists on Iran Uranium Enrichment Ban Amid Middle East Tensions

The United States, under President Donald Trump, is demanding a complete ban on uranium enrichment by Iran as a condition for any agreement, aiming to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which has maintained uranium enrichment at 60% without progressing to weapons-grade levels, views its nuclear program as a bargaining tool to lift sanctions, but it insists that U.S. pressure on Israel to halt attacks on its facilities is necessary before it will fully engage in negotiations. Trump is reportedly considering military action against the fortified Fordow uranium enrichment facility, despite concerns about the effectiveness of such strikes and opposition from Congress. Both U.S. officials and analysts indicate that Iran is not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon, with estimates suggesting it remains years away from developing one. President Trump has emphasized the need for Iran to completely dismantle its nuclear program rather than settle for a ceasefire, signaling a hardline stance that aligns with ongoing Israeli military operations against Iranian targets, which have resulted in escalating conflict marked by missile and drone exchanges. This hawkish approach has drawn international criticism and raised concerns about regional stability and the safety of U.S. troops in the Middle East.