If the US gets Iran to voluntarily shift away from an enrichment program, that is the most permanent way to make sure that they never get a nuclear weapon, US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff told Breitbart News Network on Friday.
"If we get them to voluntarily shift away from an enrichment program where they can enrich to not have centrifuges, to not have material that can be enriched to weapons-grade levels 90 percent, if we can get them to voluntarily do that that is the most permanent way to make sure that they never get a weapon," Witkoff said.
Witkoff said that he believes in US President Donald Trump's policy of attempting to settle the Iranian conflict through dialogue.
"That’s a more permanent solution to that crisis than any other alternative. That would physically change exactly how Iran was approaching a nuclear program."
Iran has agreed to hold a fourth round of indirect nuclear talks with the US on Sunday in Oman, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday, adding that the negotiations were advancing.
Trump's threat against Iran
Trump, who withdrew the US from a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, has threatened to bomb Iran if no agreement is reached with his administration to resolve the long-standing dispute.
Western countries say Iran's nuclear program is geared toward producing weapons, whereas Iran insists it is purely for civilian purposes.
"The negotiations are moving forward, and naturally, the further we go, the more consultations and reviews are needed," Araghchi said in remarks carried by Iranian state media.
"The delegations require more time to examine the issues that are raised. But what is important is that we are on a forward-moving path and gradually entering into the details."
The fourth round of indirect negotiations, initially scheduled for May 3 in Rome, was postponed, with mediator Oman citing "logistical reasons".
Araghchi said his planned visit to Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Saturday was in line with "continuous consultations" with neighbouring countries to "address their concerns and mutual interests" about the nuclear issue.
Amichai Stein contributed to this report.