US: "Iran must stop uranium enrichment now"

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made it clear that Tehran must completely abandon several strategic areas in order to make progress in nuclear talks with Iran, Reuters reports.

He stressed that Iran must immediately cease uranium enrichment, the development of ballistic missile programs, and any support for regional armed groups - including the Houthis.

Rubio's statement came ahead of the next round of negotiations, which were scheduled to take place in Rome but have been postponed indefinitely. In an interview with Fox News, he said:

"Iran has no credible need to develop long-range missiles, unless it is related to its nuclear weapons program. If it can enrich uranium to 3.67%, it would only take weeks to reach 90%. That would mean a nuclear weapon."

US officials believe Iran must buy its nuclear fuel from abroad. They believe that Tehran's domestic enrichment of uranium opens the door to developing nuclear weapons.

Tehran strongly denies these claims. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that enriching uranium for peaceful purposes is Iran's legitimate right enshrined in the international nuclear disarmament treaty.

"Iran does not seek to build a nuclear bomb and is open to negotiations. However, it will not yield to threats and pressure," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Washington is stepping up its pressure strategy. President Donald Trump has ordered companies in the global oil and petrochemical markets to stop all business with Iran, warning that failure to comply will be punished by US sanctions.

Marco Rubio, on the other hand, said that negotiations can only continue if US inspectors are given full and unconditional access to all of Iran's nuclear and military facilities.