Nuclear talks with the U.S. “will lead nowhere” if the country's negotiators don't allow Iran to enrich any uranium, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Monday, according to state media.

The statement follows U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff saying Sunday, “We have one very, very clear red line, and that is enrichment. We cannot allow even 1% of an enrichment capability,” The Times of Israel reported.

Takht-Ravanchi also said Monday: Our position on enrichment is clear, and we have repeatedly stated that it is a national achievement from which we will not back down.” 

Leaders from the U.S. and Iran have held four rounds of talks, primarily in Oman, since President Trump began his second term, to address Tehran’s nuclear program as the country nears nuclear weapons capabilities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi claimed on X on Sunday that U.S. negotiators were contradicting themselves in statements they made publicly versus privately to Iran. He also said U.S. officials "are naturally free to publicly state whatever they deem fit to ward off Special Interest groups."

Trump said in an interview aired Friday on Fox News that he planned to use his trade strategy to reach a deal with Iran, but reiterated his stance that Iran could not have nuclear weapons. As part of the deal, the U.S. could potentially ease sanctions on Iran over its pursuit of a nuclear-grade weapon. 

“Iran wants to trade with us, OK, if you can believe that. And I’m OK with it,” the president said. “I’m using trade to settle scores and to make peace. But I’ve told Iran we make a deal. There’s not plenty of time."