Nuclear talks between Iran and the United States will lead nowhere if Washington insists that Tehran reduce its uranium enrichment activity to zero, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takhtravanchi has warned.

In a statement carried by state media, Takhtravanchi said: “Our position on enrichment is clear and we have repeatedly stated that it is a national achievement from which we will not back down.”

This followed repeated statements by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who has stressed that any new agreement between the two countries must include a commitment by Iran to stop enriching uranium, which is a possible step towards developing nuclear weapons.

Iran has insisted that its nuclear program has purely peaceful purposes.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei accused the US of complicating the negotiations by expressing in public opinions that contradict those discussed in private.

“Washington is complicating the negotiations by expressing in public views that differ from those discussed privately during the talks,” Baghaei said.

He added that, despite the contradictory statements from the US, Iran continues to participate in the talks and is ready to negotiate a possible agreement. The parties are also waiting for mediator Oman to announce a fifth round of talks.

The talks come after a period of tension following the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, which limited Iran’s enrichment activities in exchange for the easing of international sanctions.

US President Donald Trump called that deal unilateral and withdrew the United States, reinstating strong sanctions on Iran, while Tehran responded by increasing enrichment activities.