Iran Says Enriched Uranium, Strait of Hormuz Are Red Lines in Talks as Trump Ramps Up Pressure

Iran Pushes Back After Trump Signals Military Option

Iran has said its right to enrich uranium and its control over the Strait of Hormuz are non-negotiable in talks with the US.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's National Security Committee, wrote on X on May 27 that Iran would not back away from red lines including “the right to uranium enrichment and enriched uranium, management of the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of sanctions.”

He also attacked President Donald Trump, writing: “One day he relies on threats, and the next day he begs for an agreement.” He added that “everyone now knows this.”

The remarks made clear Tehran's position that it will not retreat from its core negotiating demands after Trump stepped up pressure by calling for Iran to give up its enriched uranium and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

US-Iran talks have remained deadlocked over differences on Iran's nuclear program and control of the waterway. Trump has insisted that Iran must relinquish both its enriched uranium and the Strait of Hormuz.

At a White House cabinet meeting on May 27, Trump said negotiations with Iran were “going along very well.” But he added, “Either that happens, or we'll just have to finish the job,” raising the possibility of renewed military action.

Oh Se-song, Hankyung.com reporter, sesung@hankyung.com