Rubio: Iran Can Have Civil Nuclear Program Without Enrichment
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that Iran is free to pursue a peaceful nuclear program, provided it halts all uranium enrichment activities.
“Iran, like many nations, can operate a civilian nuclear program by importing enriched uranium rather than producing it themselves,” Rubio said during an appearance on The Free Press podcast.
He emphasized that while a non-military nuclear pathway is available, any insistence on enrichment raises concerns. “If Iran insists on enriching uranium while claiming not to pursue nuclear weapons, they’d be the only country in the world doing that — and that’s troubling,” he noted.
Rubio criticized the 2015 nuclear agreement established under President Obama, arguing it gave Iran permanent benefits in return for temporary compromises. He reiterated that the current U.S. administration is not seeking armed conflict.
“We’re not pushing for war. President Trump did not campaign to start wars,” Rubio said. “His preference is to avoid military action altogether, whether by the U.S. or others, and to find a negotiated solution.”
He also warned that any military escalation could destabilize the wider region. Emphasizing the administration’s commitment to diplomacy, Rubio said, “If there’s a chance to resolve this peacefully, we will pursue that path fully. But we’re still far from reaching a deal with Iran.”
Rubio acknowledged the complexity of the situation but stressed that the U.S. remains determined to find a peaceful resolution that satisfies all parties involved.
Earlier this month, American and Iranian officials held two rounds of negotiations in Oman and Italy. Both sides described the discussions as productive and constructive.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, President Trump has warned that military options remain on the table if a new nuclear agreement cannot be forged to replace the 2015 deal.
