National Security Advisor: The US has started communicating with Iran about hostages

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National Security Advisor Jake SullivanJake Sullivan Sunday Show Preview: CDC School Reopening Guidance Raises Discussion; Texas fights winter break Erdoğan: Turkey wants to strengthen ties with US after relationship is ‘seriously tested’ Biden speaks to Netanyahu for the first time since taking office MORE said Sunday that the Biden administration has started talks with Iran over the US hostages that the Islamic Republic is currently holding.

CBS’s Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan asked Sullivan if any hostage negotiations had begun, noting that at least five US hostages are being held in Iran.

“We intend to communicate very directly with the Iranians about the complete and utter outrage, the humanitarian disaster that is the unjust, unlawful detention of US civilians in Iran,” Sullivan said.

“We have started communicating with the Iranians on this issue,” Sullivan continued. “And we will continue to do so as we move forward. And our strong message to the Iranians will be that we will not accept a long-term proposal where they continue to imprison Americans in an unjust and illegal manner. Getting those Americans home safely will be a major priority of this administration. “

Brennan also asked if Tehran had responded last week to an offer from the US and the European Union to meet over the 2015 nuclear deal and whether the offer was still valid, as Iran had said it had only access to the nuclear watchdog of the international community would diminish.

“First, Joe BidenJoe Biden Nearly 70 deaths in states with severe winter weather: report Two additional deaths confirmed in Louisiana related to severe winter weather Attorney filing lawsuit to overturn 2020 election results, referred by judge for discipline MORE is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. Second, he believes stubborn, clear-eyed diplomacy is the best way to do that, ”replied Sullivan, affirming that the offer to negotiate is still in effect.

“It is Iran that is now diplomatically isolated, not the United States. And the ball is with them, ”Sullivan said.

The Fars News Agency (FNA), Iran’s semi-official news agency, shared a statement after the interview from the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry shooting reports that direct talks have begun.

“We have received some reports from the Swiss embassy about the prisoner exchange,” the spokesman said in a translated Tweet from the FNA. “The release of Iranian prisoners in US prisons is our priority, but there has been no direct dialogue, which is not true.”

Switzerland represents US interests in Iran.

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