US "Ready for Talks to Return to Iran Nuclear Deal"... Expected to Respond if Invited by EU

Discussion on Returning to Iran Nuclear Talks at US-UK-FR-GER Foreign Ministers Meeting
US Senior Official: "EU Arranged Dialogue, Will Respond if Invited"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The U.S. Biden administration has strongly expressed its willingness to engage in talks with Iran regarding a return to the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). It is expected to respond positively to the European Union's (EU) invitation if the negotiation table with Iran, which the EU has announced it is preparing, is convened.

According to major foreign media including the Associated Press on the 18th (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a meeting with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom on the same day and emphasized in a joint statement, "If Iran complies with the nuclear deal, the United States will return to the JCPOA." The UK, France, and Germany all welcomed the Biden administration's return to nuclear negotiations with Iran. The four ministers reaffirmed their determination to strengthen the nuclear deal and address Iran's missile program and regional security concerns together with the parties involved.

However, Secretary Blinken warned in the statement about Iran's recent violations of the nuclear deal. He called Iran's announcement to significantly restrict International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear inspections a dangerous decision and urged Iran to consider the consequences of this serious action at a time when new diplomatic opportunities have emerged. He also expressed concern that Iran's decision to increase uranium enrichment from the 3.67% level stipulated in the nuclear deal to 20% lacks credible justification as civilian use and could lead to nuclear development.

Following the statement at the meeting, conciliatory remarks and measures toward Iran continued in the U.S. According to major foreign media, a senior U.S. official stated that if the EU invites the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (P5: U.S., UK, France, China, Russia) and Germany, who signed the Iran nuclear deal, to negotiations for returning to the deal, the U.S. would respond positively. Earlier, major foreign media reported, citing an EU senior official, that the P5 countries and Germany are preparing a negotiation table for the U.S. to return to the nuclear deal.

Additionally, the U.S. announced it would withdraw the Trump administration's claim to restore sanctions against Iran before the UN Security Council. It also notified the Iranian mission to the UN of the easing of entry restrictions imposed on Iranian diplomats. The Biden administration is analyzed to be expecting Iran's response, stating that the maximum pressure policy against Iran during the Trump administration has ended and that this is the first opportunity in years to return to diplomacy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.