![Iranian nuclear plant [AFP/Getty]](https://www.newarab.com/sites/default/files/media/images/E99137D8-DF1A-4E02-B1E1-47809F4B6946.jpg "Iranian nuclear plant [AFP/Getty]")
Iran rejects leaked US proposal for return to nuclear deal
Iran rejects leaked US proposal for return to nuclear deal
Iran is not pleased with the US' leaked nuclear proposal and hit back via state media.
2 min read
Iran's sole nuclear power plant, Bushehr, a site of controversy [AFP/Getty]
Iran has shot down US proposals to reduce sanctions against it in exchange for a commitment from Tehran to cease certain nuclear activities, including enriching uranium to 20 percent purity.
This comes as questions are being raised about how realistic a return to the Iran nuclear deal, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), now is, despite strong international support.
The rebuke, delivered via Iranian state media, came in response to a report from POLITICO in which some details of Washington’s plans were leaked.
The US sources consulted were keen to make clear that the exact terms of the proposal are not yet finalised.
Nevertheless, the briefing crossed a red line in Iran and has been completely dismissed by Tehran.
In a statement given to Press TV, an anonymous senior official in Tehran underlined that the full removal of all US sanctions is a precondition for winding down uranium enrichment to 20 percent levels.
They contend that this is consistent with Paragraph 36 of the Iran nuclear deal, which was designed to curb the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities, but which Donald Trump pulled out from in May 2018.
Read more: Iran rejects IAEA chief's call for new nuclear agreement after Biden takes office
The official said that limits to its nuclear activities are off the table until the US complies to its demands.
|
"The Biden administration is losing time, and if it fails to lift the sanctions soon, Iran will take the next steps, which will be a further reduction of its JCPOA commitments," the same Iranian official warned.
With Iranian presidential elections approaching which could have big ramifications for Iran-US relations, it means that serious negotiations could be put on hold for months to come.
A lack of resolution is also problematic for the Biden administration.
The US president attacked his predecessor Donald Trump over his Iran strategy, and particularly his decision to withdraw from the JCPOA.
Biden held Trump responsible for Iran's expansion of its nuclear capabilities.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected
More In News
