US welcomes EU, Iran nuclear meeting
April 1, 2021
The US on Thursday welcomed a meeting announced by the EU with Iran to discuss the 2015 nuclear accord.
"We obviously welcome this as a positive step," said State Department spokesman Ned Price.
The EU announced virtual talks that will take place on Friday with nations that remain in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — UK, China, France, Germany, Russia and Iran — in anticipation of a return by the US.
"We are ready to pursue a return to compliance with our JCPOA commitments consistent with Iran also doing the same," added Price.
Coming back
US President Joe Biden supported the agreement that his predecessor Donald Trump dropped out of. After withdrawing the US from the deal, the Trump administration reimposed sanctions on Iran.
The US and Iran have yet to agree to meet to discuss reviving the deal, and were indirectly communicating via European nations.
"Participants will discuss the prospect of a possible return of the United States to the JCPOA and how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the agreement by all sides," said the EU.
France's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told reporters that European nations were working closely with Russia and China to find a solution to the deadlock and were talking with both Iran and the US.
"These exchanges are more than necessary because Iran has not accepted to take part in direct contacts between the other participants of the JCPOA and the United States … which would have eased discussions," said spokeswoman Agnes con der Muhll.
kbd/sri (AFP, Reuters)