Michael Anton appointed by US to head technical discussions with Iran
The Trump administration is expanding its personnel as the president expresses his keen interest in securing a deal.
TroibNews 
The Trump administration has appointed senior State Department official Michael Anton to head the U.S. technical team in negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program, according to two anonymous U.S. officials who were permitted to discuss sensitive diplomatic matters.
Anton, who serves as the State Department's policy planning director, will lead a team of approximately a dozen primarily career officials from various government departments to negotiate the specifics of an agreement aimed at imposing significant restrictions on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from sanctions.
He is scheduled to guide the first round of expert talks with Iranian officials this weekend prior to a meeting next week in Rome between special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Anton previously accompanied Witkoff during the last round of discussions in Rome.
“He is the perfect man for the job given his experience and intellect. Most importantly, he will ensure that President Trump’s agenda on this file is followed through,” remarked an administration official.
Anton is a somewhat low-profile yet increasingly influential official within the administration, having previously worked on the National Security Council during Trump's first term and later served as a fellow at the conservative Claremont Institute. He has not made his position on the Iran issue public, a topic that has long been a source of intense debate in Washington.
These negotiations are taking place amid a split within the Trump administration regarding whether to engage in diplomatic efforts or resort to military action to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Close ally Israel is advocating for a U.S. strike, believing that Iran is currently vulnerable due to previous assaults and the weakening of its major proxies.
In contrast, President Donald Trump has expressed a preference for a diplomatic resolution.
It remains uncertain whether the U.S. will insist on the complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran claims is intended solely for civilian use, or if it will seek an arrangement permitting Iran to maintain certain facilities under strict verification protocols.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in an interview with the Free Press released Wednesday that the U.S. is working towards an arrangement allowing Iran to import enriched uranium fuel, enabling Tehran to maintain a civilian nuclear program.
“There’s a pathway to a civil, peaceful nuclear program if they want one,” he noted. “But if they insist on enriching, then they will be the only country in the world that doesn’t have a ‘weapons program,’ quote-unquote, but is enriching … that’s problematic.”
Witkoff has publicly revised his position on the negotiations since last week. After indicating to The Wall Street Journal and Fox News that verification would be a central focus of any agreement, he later stated that the U.S. would not permit Iran to enrich uranium under any circumstances.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
Anton, who serves as the State Department's policy planning director, will lead a team of approximately a dozen primarily career officials from various government departments to negotiate the specifics of an agreement aimed at imposing significant restrictions on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from sanctions.
He is scheduled to guide the first round of expert talks with Iranian officials this weekend prior to a meeting next week in Rome between special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Anton previously accompanied Witkoff during the last round of discussions in Rome.
“He is the perfect man for the job given his experience and intellect. Most importantly, he will ensure that President Trump’s agenda on this file is followed through,” remarked an administration official.
Anton is a somewhat low-profile yet increasingly influential official within the administration, having previously worked on the National Security Council during Trump's first term and later served as a fellow at the conservative Claremont Institute. He has not made his position on the Iran issue public, a topic that has long been a source of intense debate in Washington.
These negotiations are taking place amid a split within the Trump administration regarding whether to engage in diplomatic efforts or resort to military action to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Close ally Israel is advocating for a U.S. strike, believing that Iran is currently vulnerable due to previous assaults and the weakening of its major proxies.
In contrast, President Donald Trump has expressed a preference for a diplomatic resolution.
It remains uncertain whether the U.S. will insist on the complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran claims is intended solely for civilian use, or if it will seek an arrangement permitting Iran to maintain certain facilities under strict verification protocols.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in an interview with the Free Press released Wednesday that the U.S. is working towards an arrangement allowing Iran to import enriched uranium fuel, enabling Tehran to maintain a civilian nuclear program.
“There’s a pathway to a civil, peaceful nuclear program if they want one,” he noted. “But if they insist on enriching, then they will be the only country in the world that doesn’t have a ‘weapons program,’ quote-unquote, but is enriching … that’s problematic.”
Witkoff has publicly revised his position on the negotiations since last week. After indicating to The Wall Street Journal and Fox News that verification would be a central focus of any agreement, he later stated that the U.S. would not permit Iran to enrich uranium under any circumstances.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
