Iran has dropped key demands in the negotiations to return to a nuclear deal, the White House confirmed Wednesday.
After more than 16 months of indirect talks, National Security Council strategic communications coordinator John Kirby told reporters that Iran’s decision to abandon several sticking points in the negotiations had yielded new progress.
Iran has made some concessions “that allowed us to get to where we are in the process … so that’s a positive step forward,” Kirby said, noting that the sides are “closer now than we were even just a couple of weeks ago.”
On Sunday, President Joe Biden spoke with the leaders of European countries involved in the original deal, indicating that negotiations had entered a more serious phase.
Still, “we’re not there yet,” Kirby said Wednesday, noting that “a lot of gaps remain.” Other administration officials have made similar assessments in recent days.
IRAN SOFTENS DEMAND ON MAJOR NUCLEAR DEAL STUMBLING BLOCK, US OFFICIAL SAYS
Asked whether Iran had dropped its demand that international inspectors close certain investigations into its nuclear program before implementing or agreeing to a deal, Kirby demurred.
“Our position has been crystal clear … Iran must answer the IAEA’s questions. It’s the only way to address those concerns,” he said, referring to an investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency of undeclared nuclear material found at Iranian sites.
“There should not be any conditionality between reimplementation of the JCPOA and investigations related to Iran’s legal obligations under Non-Proliferation Treaty and its comprehensive safeguards,” Kirby added.
A senior administration official confirmed to the Washington Examiner on Tuesday that Iran had backed off its demand to end the investigation as a condition for returning to the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Still, questions surrounding the nature of Iran’s commitment remain, with an adviser for Iran’s negotiating team insisting that “no deal will be implemented” before the investigation is closed. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi has ruled out the possibility that he would end the investigation.
“Of course, this doesn’t mean Iran won’t cooperate to help close the case,” he added in a subsequent tweet.
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On Wednesday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it had received the Biden administration’s answer to its comments on the European draft text of a deal.
Kirby declined to provide details of the U.S. response, telling reporters that the administration would not negotiate in public.
