U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan speaks at a press conference held Feb. 4, 2021 at the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC.
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WASHINGTON – White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday that the United States has started speaking with Iran about detained Americans.
“We have started communicating with the Iranians on this issue, yes. And we will continue to do so as we move forward,” Sullivan said of the five known detained Americans.
“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,” he told CBS of its “Face the Nation” program, adding, “It will be a major This government’s priority is to get those Americans home safely. “
When asked for an update on the Washington-Tehran nuclear talks, Sullivan said “the ball is with them.”
Sullivan said President Joe Biden remains determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and believes the best way to do that is through “bright eyes”.
He is willing to come to the table to talk to the Iranians about how we get strict restrictions on their nuclear program. That offer is still valid because we believe diplomacy is the best way to do it. not responded, ”said Sullivan.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated after former President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the historic nuclear deal.
Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s president, pauses during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019.
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The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, initiated by the Obama administration, lifted sanctions against Iran, which had paralyzed its economy and roughly halved its oil exports. In exchange for sanctions relief, Iran accepted restrictions on its nuclear program until the terms expire in 2025.
The US and its European allies believe Iran has ambitions to develop an atomic bomb. Tehran has denied that allegation.
Trump withdrew the United States from the JCPOA in 2018, calling it the “ worst deal ever. ”
After Washington abandoned the groundbreaking nuclear deal, other signatories to the pact – France, Germany, the UK, Russia and China – tried to keep the deal alive.
Tehran has refused to negotiate as long as US sanctions are in place.