In a new escalation of the US stance on the Iranian nuclear issue, US President Donald Trump reiterated on Friday his categorical and absolute rejection of any level of uranium enrichment within Iranian territory, even under the guise of civilian or peaceful purposes. These fiery remarks came less than 24 hours after the conclusion of the third round of direct negotiations between delegations from Washington and Tehran in Geneva, Switzerland, casting doubt on the viability of the current diplomatic track.

Speaking to reporters in Corpus Christi, Texas, Trump explained that available information indicates Iran is seeking to reach enrichment levels between 20% and 30%. The US president asserted that these levels cannot be classified as civilian energy uses, stating unequivocally, "This level is not civilian." Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the pace and outcome of the recent talks, summarizing the US position with a decisive statement: "I say no to enrichment." This represents a return to the "zero enrichment" principle long advocated by hawks in successive US administrations.

These statements come at a highly sensitive time, as Geneva has witnessed intense diplomatic activity in recent days aimed at finding common ground to revive nuclear understandings. Discussions have focused primarily on key points of contention, most notably the permissible limit for uranium enrichment and the monitoring mechanisms to be enforced by the International Atomic Energy Agency—issues that form the crux of any potential agreement.

From a technical and political standpoint, Trump's talk of 20% and 30% enrichment levels carries serious implications. Uranium intended for civilian power reactors typically does not require enrichment exceeding 3.67% to 5%. Reaching the 20% threshold, however, is considered by nuclear experts to be a significant technological leap that would shorten the time needed to reach the 90% enrichment required for a nuclear weapon. Therefore, Washington's insistence on a complete ban on enrichment stems from fears that any civilian enrichment infrastructure could be quickly diverted into a clandestine military program.

This hardline stance brings to mind the complexities of the international landscape surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue for many years. The United States believes that allowing Tehran to possess a complete nuclear fuel cycle threatens regional and international security, while Iran insists that enrichment is its sovereign right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Trump's recent statements are expected to complicate the task of international mediators and may push Tehran to adopt even more hardline positions in future rounds of talks, leaving the entire region facing open-ended scenarios ranging from diplomatic stalemate to military escalation.

The Iraqi Ministry of Interior, in an official statement issued this evening (Friday), categorically denied the validity of the news circulated by some social media platforms and media outlets, which claimed that gunfire had occurred from the Kuwaiti side towards one of the border points belonging to Basra Governorate in southern Iraq.

The ministry explained in its statement that this information is completely false, stressing that no security breach or incident of this kind has been recorded in the area of ​​responsibility, and that the movement and security situation along the border strip between the two countries is proceeding in a very normal and stable manner, amid mutual security coordination to control the borders and prevent any violations.

The importance of stability on the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border

The Iraqi-Kuwaiti border holds immense strategic and security importance for both countries. Relations between Baghdad and Kuwait have witnessed remarkable development and a qualitative leap in recent years, overcoming the tensions of the 1990s. The stability of the border regions, particularly in Basra Governorate, Iraq's economic heartland, is a cornerstone of national security for both sides, in addition to serving as a vital corridor for trade and passenger traffic through official border crossings such as the Safwan-Abdali crossing.

Security cooperation and combating rumors

In a related context, the Ministry of Interior called on all media outlets and bloggers to exercise accuracy and credibility, and to rely solely on official and authorized sources when disseminating sensitive security information. The Ministry warned against being swayed by malicious rumors intended to sow confusion and anxiety among citizens, or those that attempt to disrupt the growing fraternal relations and established diplomatic ties between the peoples and leaderships of Iraq and Kuwait.

The ministry also stressed that it will not tolerate any violation of the law, affirming its full legal right to pursue and hold accountable those who spread false news that affects civil peace, security and stability, and to take all necessary legal measures against them to ensure that such claims that harm the country’s higher interests are not repeated.

This swift and decisive denial comes to block any attempts to escalate the situation in the media, and to confirm the strength of the ongoing security coordination between the border guard forces in both countries to prevent any illegal activities, thus ensuring the continuation of calm and stability in this sensitive regional area.

In a new escalation of international sanctions, the US Department of Justice announced its formal action to seize the supertanker "Motor Tanker Skipper," along with a massive cargo of approximately 1.8 million barrels of crude oil. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to tighten the noose on illicit financing networks linked to Venezuela's state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).

Maritime evasion and camouflage techniques

US investigations revealed that the tanker "Skipper" was not operating normally, but rather engaged in a series of complex operations to evade sanctions. According to the Department of Justice, the tanker transported massive quantities of crude oil from both Iran and Venezuela, using sophisticated techniques to conceal its identity and route. These methods included falsifying its AIS (Automatic Identification System) data and illegally flying the flags of various countries to disguise its true destinations, a blatant violation of international maritime law and the US sanctions regime.

The temporal and political context of the operation

This seizure is particularly significant given its timing and the surrounding political context. The tanker was detained off the Venezuelan coast last December, a move that paved the way for subsequent dramatic developments. These actions are part of Washington's maximum pressure strategy against ousted President Nicolás Maduro, which culminated in the US military operation and his capture in early January 2016, according to the timeline of events.

The post-Maduro era: Cooperation with the interim administration

With the radical political changes in Caracas, officials in the Trump administration are currently pushing for a new chapter with the interim government in Venezuela. These moves aim to allow American companies to resume operations and access Venezuela's vast oil reserves, provided that comprehensive structural reforms are initiated. Through this approach, Washington is asserting that the era of covert funding for regimes it considers a threat to US national security is over, and that the current focus is on rebuilding economic relations on terms that guarantee transparency and compliance with international law.

Economic and strategic dimensions

The seizure of 1.8 million barrels is a significant blow to smuggling networks, as this quantity represents a substantial financial value that would have been used to support regimes under severe sanctions. Through this operation, the United States sends a clear message to all players in the maritime energy transport market that attempts to circumvent sanctions by changing flags or manipulating navigation data will not go unpunished, and that the long arm of the American justice system is capable of accessing and seizing these assets.