WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews)-White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is walking back controversial remarks he made Monday night during an appearance on Fox News, in which he appeared to describe a conceptual Iran proposal that echoed the framework of the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal.
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Witkoff’s initial comments sparked concern among hawkish lawmakers and policy experts, as he suggested a willingness to entertain a deal allowing Iran limited enrichment under stringent monitoring—a formula many critics associate with the failed 2015 accord that the Trump administration famously withdrew from in 2018.
However, in a sharp about-face Tuesday afternoon, Ambassador Witkoff issued a clarifying statement aimed at dispelling any notion that the administration is softening its stance on Tehran.
“I want to be clear: Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program,” Witkoff said. “There is no scenario in which the United States will accept a partial rollback or temporary freeze. Our position remains unchanged—the Iranian regime cannot be trusted with any nuclear capabilities.”
The reversal appears to realign Witkoff with the Trump-era posture that defined the U.S. approach to Iran as one of “maximum pressure,” emphasizing sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and an insistence on Iran’s complete dismantlement of its nuclear ambitions.
Witkoff’s initial remarks had ignited a flurry of speculation over a potential policy shift within the current administration. While some inside the Beltway saw his comments as exploratory diplomacy, others interpreted them as a dangerous flirtation with a flawed past framework.
Tuesday’s clarification puts those concerns to rest—for now. Still, the incident highlights the delicate balancing act facing U.S. envoys as they navigate the ever-volatile dynamics of Middle East diplomacy.
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