Sources: The US, UK, France, Germany foreign ministers would discuss the Iran issue as soon as possible
On Thursday, four sources said that the U.S., British, French and German foreign ministers would discuss soon the manner to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement abandoned by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The sources that spoke with the condition of anonymity, refused to say precisely the time of the high-level call, despite that two reported that it could take place on Friday, but two others said that the call could take place next week. The call could also cover other matters.
In fact, like this high-level discussion would be the latest move by new U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration to find a way to revive the deal that Iran under it approved to limit its nuclear activities so as to make it harder to develop an atomic bomb in return for relief from U.S. and other economic sanctions. However, Iran has always refused any intention to develop nuclear arms.
Furthermore, Biden declared that if Tehran returned to strict obedience with the 2015 deal, Washington would follow its step and use that as a springboard to a broader agreement that might restrict Iran’s missile development and regional activities.
Otherwise, Tehran claimed Washington reduce sanctions before it would resume obedience but Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif indicated on Monday a way to resolve the impasse about who goes first, saying the steps could be synchronized. When the reaction of U.S. State Department was coolly, a U.S. official stated that its stance should not be seen as a rejection.
While the State Department refused to comment if the four foreign ministers would really meet virtually soon. The German and French foreign ministries, as well as the British embassy in Washington, did not instantly respond to requests for comment.
