Iranian FM Araghchi Declares Tehran 'Doubts US Seriousness' on Nuclear Talks; No New Round Scheduled; Witkoff Warns Iran Near Bomb Material

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated publicly on May 15 that Tehran 'doubts US seriousness' about nuclear negotiations — a direct signal of diplomatic pessimism following President Trump's new proposal and warning of 'serious consequences' delivered May 16. Araghchi indicated Iran would consider a 'fair and balanced' US proposal but the current offer does not meet that threshold. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff simultaneously warned that Iran remains 'near making nuclear bomb material' despite the spring 2026 US-Israel military strikes, framing continued enrichment as an existential red line for Washington. Iran holds 400–460 kg of uranium enriched to 60% — upgradeable to weapons-grade within weeks — and its parliament speakers (Ghalibaf, Rezaei) maintain threats to enrich to 90% if attacked again. The core sticking point: the US demands a 20-year moratorium on high-level enrichment; Iran offers 5 years; 12 years is floated as compromise but the May 14 congressional letter (52 senators + 177 representatives opposing any enrichment deal) has eliminated the middle-ground politically. No new round of direct US-Iran talks has been scheduled as of May 17. The EU3 (UK, France, Germany) Istanbul talks on May 16 — the first European-Iran nuclear dialogue since the April ceasefire — established a parallel channel that may serve as Tehran's diplomatic hedge if the US-Iran MOU track stays blocked, but produced no breakthrough. The Strait of Hormuz blockade continues into its third month with approximately 750 vessels trapped and $6 billion per month in Iranian oil export revenue blocked.