The “US strategic route” is Iran, Biden’s ambassador says | Nuclear Weapons Issues

Robert Malley says a return to the nuclear deal in the US ‘Iran’ Iran ‘alliance as unresolved talks resume in Vienna.

The Biden government is prioritizing talks on its relationship with Tehran, the US special envoy to Iran told Al Jazeera, emphasizing that. renewing Iran’s nuclear deal remains in the interests of both countries.

In an interview Thursday, Robert Malley said restoring a nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was possible.

“We are fully committed to getting back on track with the JCPOA,” Malley said. “We think it is still time to act if Iran comes back and says it is ready to raise their hand and do it again.”

His comments came as the nuclear talks resumed in Vienna on Thursday, with the United States delegation led by Malley expected to participate in the talks. on weekends.

Malley and his team did not participate directly in the negotiations, instead interacting with the Iranian people through representatives from countries still holding parties to the 2015 alliance – UK, Russia, China, France and Germany.

Malley reiterated Washington’s call for direct talks with Tehran, telling Al Jazeera that US diplomats are ready to meet with Iranian ambassadors “anytime and anywhere”.

Iran has already denied this, saying that the US – which left from the 2018 agreement under President Donald Trump – no longer part of the deal. Tehran is in talks with the signatories to the agreement as part of the JCPOA committee.

“We are ready to meet them face to face,” said Malley. “We think it is more effective than direct communication. And we are dealing with such a serious problem, a great deal of mistrust, which can lead to misunderstandings. ”

US and European officials have expressed frustration with Iran’s response to the resumption of talks in Vienna last week, criticizing Tehran for not showing interest in trying to restore unity.

The seventh session in progress was the first under the Iranian Conservative President Ibrahim Raisi.

He was asked about the prospect of a war with Tehran in the middle growing conflict Between Israel and Iran, Malley said: “We have a chance to negotiate with them. We think it is the best option. It is good for us. We doubt it is good for Iran, but Iran has a choice.”

Trump left the JCPOA in 2018 and launched an anti-Iran economic campaign that his successor Joe Biden continued to promote.

Tehran has been expanding its program in response to Washington’s removal from the deal.

Iranian officials say they want to all prohibited was abolished immediately, as the US government demanded that all return to action, which could lead to the end of nuclear weapons sanctions and the resumption of Iran’s nuclear program.

On Tuesday, Biden officials announced new punishments against two Iranian security agencies and a number of allies who have joined them, alleging violations of human rights.

This prompted criticism from Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh, who said on Twitter that “double the sanctions would be counterproductive – and futile and unpopular”.

On Thursday, Malley said the US remained “ready to return to the alliance soon, Iran should do so”.

“Then we will remove all sanctions that are not in line with the JCPOA. But in the meantime, we can not stand up and be prepared for a country that Iran may choose to delay the program, try to develop the capacity to help,” he said.

“Obviously we have to answer. And so, that’s what we do. We are preparing ourselves for those consequences. ”