Iran prepares response to U.S. threats against nuclear development

Iranian officials are checking in with the UN’s nuclear watchdog Monday ahead of resuming talks with the U.S. over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Negotiations are set to restart Tuesday in Geneva, but both countries have ramped up a military presence in the meantime.

Iran’s state media is reporting that Tehran began launching a slew of military drills in the strait of Hormuz, a major waterway for shipping.

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This was in response to U.S. President Donald Trump saying he will send another aircraft carrier in the region, signalling that the White House is preparing for any type of escalation.

Monday’s sit-down between Iran and the UN watchdog was deemed to be a “technical discussion” to help with the nuclear dispute.

Iran’s foreign ministry has suggested that some compromises could be made.

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The crux of the issue includes the White House wanting Iran to dismantle its entire nuclear program and eliminating its uranium enrichment operations.

However, Tehran has said they will not accept a complete shut down of uranium production and that it wants sanctions against them removed as part of a new deal.

Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says an agreement with the current Iranian regime may be a difficult one to reach.

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“We’re hopeful there’s a deal, the president always prefers peaceful outcomes and negotiated outcomes to things. He’s a president that’s shown his willingness to talk to anyone and meet with anyone and I think that there is an opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement that addresses the things we’re concerned about – we would be very open and welcoming to that,” says U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“But I don’t want to overstate it either, it’s going to be hard. I mean we’re dealing, you know, it’s been very difficult for anyone to do real deals with Iran.”

The U.S. delegation for Tuesday’s meeting in Geneva will include Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Both representatives will also hold a separate discussion on the Ukraine-Russia war.

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