U.S. Will Never Trust Iran, UN Ambassador Waltz Says

(MENAFN) Washington is drawing a firm line ahead of a second round of nuclear negotiations, with UN Ambassador Mike Waltz declaring Sunday that the US is "never going to take an approach of trust" toward Iran, even as American officials prepared to travel to Pakistan for a fresh round of diplomatic discussions.

"Any deal that comes out of this will have to absolutely be verifiable and be enforceable," Waltz said in an appearance on a TV channel.

Waltz emphasized that in-depth coordination with the International Atomic Energy Agency would be indispensable in ensuring Tehran's compliance with any eventual agreement.

President Donald Trump confirmed that US officials would make their way to Pakistan for the upcoming round of talks, though Iranian state media signaled that Tehran has yet to commit to participation.

Asked whether the meeting would amount to a presentation of US demands or a broader negotiating session, Waltz indicated he anticipates it will build upon the framework Vice President JD Vance put forward during the first round.

That inaugural round, held in Pakistan on April 11 and 12 under Vance's leadership, concluded without a deal.

Waltz described the current level of engagement with Iran as historically unprecedented, pointing to Vance's direct role and parallel ceasefire discussions between Israel and Lebanon as indicators of Washington's broad diplomatic push. He further noted that Iran's economy is in sharp decline and that the country finds itself more isolated on the international stage — particularly at the UN — than at any prior point.

In Waltz's assessment, Tehran holds little leverage and will ultimately be compelled to return to the negotiating table and abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.

On the significance of the vice president's personal involvement, Waltz was unequivocal: "the vice president leading shows the level of engagement from the US side — that we are absolutely serious."

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