NEW YORK (AFP)-US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has reiterated that there is currently no deal between the US and Iran despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. Blinken told the Council on Foreign Relations that the Biden administration was open to exploring diplomatic channels, but that the future of the relationship would be determined by actions, not words. President Joe Biden took office with the aim of reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal abandoned by his predecessor, Donald Trump. But EU-brokered talks have broken down, protests inside Iran have escalated, and the United States has been reluctant to reach an agreement with Iranian clerics.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blanken, speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, said the Biden administration is not on the verge of reaching a deal with Iran at this time, despite efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. . specify. paddy field. Blenkin also pointed to the possibility of normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, stressing challenges and the need to de-escalate tensions.
Still, diplomatic sources said indirect talks have quietly resumed in recent months, with Oman acting as a broker. A major focus of discussion was the status of American prisoners of war in Iran. The failure of talks to restore the nuclear deal is related to the extent to which President Trump will ease wide-ranging US sanctions and the timeline for Iran to return to sanctions compliance after the US withdraws from the deal. , withdrew measures initiated by the state. But there were also differences of opinion.
Blinken acknowledged that the Biden administration had tried to work “in good faith” with European countries, China and Russia to restore the deal. However, he stressed that Iran has not taken the necessary steps to restore compliance, saying:
“Iran has either neglected or will not do what is necessary to restore compliance.”
Blinken said he supported looking to the Middle East and exploring the possibility of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The two countries have a complicated relationship with the United States, but Blanken stressed their common interest in normalization. He recently visited Saudi Arabia in June to discuss regional dynamics.
Blanken acknowledged the challenges, saying normalization is a long process and cannot be achieved overnight. He highlighted developments in 2020 when Israel established diplomatic ties with three Arab countries.
United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco. Both former President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have praised the achievement as significant.
Recognition by Saudi Arabia would be a monumental achievement for Prime Minister Netanyahu, given the country’s influence in the Arab world and its status as a guardian of Islamic holy sites. However, Saudi Arabia stresses the need for progress on Palestinian rights.
Blinken addressed recent unrest in the West Bank and met with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. He called for de-escalation and expressed concern about violence against Palestinian-Americans. He emphasized the importance of firefighting efforts in the region as it deepens existing agreements and may extend them to Saudi Arabia.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken confirmed that there is no immediate deal with Iran and stressed the need for steps to de-escalate tensions. He also underscored the difficult path to normalization for Israel and Saudi Arabia and stressed the importance of resolving regional disputes.
