Tehran won’t hang uranium enrichment to reach US deal

TEHRAN, May 26 (AFP): Iran on Monday ruled out suspending uranium enrichment as part of any nuclear deal with the United States-a key demand from Washington in successive rounds of talks between the foes.

The issue has come into focus in recent weeks, with Iran staunchly defending its right to enrich uranium as part of what it says is a civilian nuclear programme, while the United States wants it to stop.

The negotiations, which began in April, are the highest-level contact between the two sides since the United States quit a landmark 2015 nuclear accord during US President Donald Trump's first term.

Trump described the latest round of discussions in Rome as "very, very good", while Iran's foreign minister described it as "complicated".

Since returning to office, Trump has revived his "maximum pressure" campaign on the Islamic republic, backing diplomacy but warning of military action if it fails.

Tehran wants a new deal that would ease sanctions battering its economy.

Western governments and Israel suspect Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons-a charge it strongly denies.