Khamenei's no

Listen to article

Any potential new nuclear deal between Washington and Tehran has already hit a massive hurdle, as Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei flatly rejected abandoning uranium enrichment. While the statement may be downplayed as an opening gambit to push for better terms, the fact that the person making the statement was the supreme leader, rather than a 'politician', could lead to domestic pushback down the line.

It is true that US President Donald Trump is the only person to blame for the fact that a new deal is even being negotiated. He unilaterally quit the landmark Obama-era deal, which Iran had been respecting, but then began violating as well, citing how Trump's withdrawal had already voided it. This is also why the US, despite being in a strong bargaining position, will have to give a lot to gain a little — trust in Trump is non-existent.

And while continuing to vilify US intentions can rally domestic support, it also perpetuates a cycle of distrust that can derail negotiations. Iran has the capability of making weapons-grade uranium but has long claimed it only enriches the element up to the level required for power generation. However, a key dispute is over the country's refusal to offshore enrichment activities to a country that the US and nuclear regulators can easily monitor.

Under normal circumstances, such a move would be a welcome trade-off, but the Trump administration is not a normal government that respects treaties or international law, so Iran is justified in its stance on the US for the supply of uranium.

As an aside, Trump violated the old deal — the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan — without even knowing what was in it. Leaked memos at the time suggested he only did it to spite former president Barack Obama, as it was one of Obama's signature achievements. As things stand, even if a deal is agreed, it will almost certainly be weaker than the original nuclear deal, keeping alive Trump's track record of legislative U-turns that leave America worse off than when he started.