On June 16, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied reports that Washington and Tehran were close to agreements to limit Iran's nuclear program and release American citizens detained in the Islamic Republic.
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| The US and Iran are in the process of negotiating to limit Tehran's nuclear program. (Source: Reuters) |
Asked about indirect talks through Oman, Mr Blinken said: "With respect to Iran, some of the information that we've seen about a deal with respect to nuclear issues or, for that matter, detainees, is completely inaccurate and untrue."
Iran said on June 12 that it was holding indirect talks with the United States through Oman, with the main topics being the nuclear issue, US sanctions and detainees.
Earlier on June 15, informed Iranian and Western officials said that the US was negotiating with Iran to outline steps that could limit Tehran's nuclear program, release some detained US citizens and unfreeze some Iranian assets abroad.
The steps would be considered an “interim agreement” rather than a (formal) agreement that would require congressional review, with many US lawmakers opposed to benefiting Iran because of its military aid to Russia, domestic repression and support for groups that have attacked US interests in the region.
US State Department spokesman Matt Miller said Washington wants Tehran to de-escalate tensions and curb its nuclear program, stop supporting regional proxy groups carrying out attacks, stop supporting Russia's military campaign against Ukraine and release detained US citizens.
"We continue to use diplomatic engagement to pursue all of these goals," he stressed, but denied that the US had any agreement with Iran.
Having failed to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, Washington hopes to restore some restrictions on Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons, which could threaten Israel and spark a regional arms race. Tehran has repeatedly said it has no nuclear weapons ambitions.
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