[Former U.S. Official Says U.S.-Iran Negotiations Broke Down Due to Israel] According to a report by Jinse Finance on April 13, former U.S. National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent stated late on the night of April 12 (local time) that negotiations between the U.S. and Iran could have been successful, but the demand for 'zero uranium enrichment' led to the breakdown of talks. He urged adherence to U.S. demands rather than Israel's stance to salvage the situation within the remaining 9-day ceasefire window. Kent noted that the U.S. government's red line has never been 'zero uranium enrichment' but rather 'Iran must not possess nuclear weapons,' a point Iran has also agreed upon. Since 2003, Iran has not sought to develop or acquire nuclear weapons, but it needs to retain uranium enrichment capabilities, which makes negotiations between the U.S. and Iran feasible. Kent emphasized that the current priority is to restrain Israel, reach an agreement, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. (CCTV International News)