Minister of Foreign Affairs Blinken Calls US Welcomes Every Effort by Iran to Slow Down the Nuclear Program, But Not Related to Hostage Release

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday Washington would welcome any move by Iran to curtail its nuclear program, although it could not confirm reports that Tehran was slowing down its enrichment of uranium to make nuclear weapons.

"Naturally, we would welcome any steps taken by Iran to actually defuse the growing nuclear threat it has posed since the United States pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal," Secretary of State Blinken said in a press conference, alluding to the former US president's decision. Donald Trump in 2018 of the agreement, cited from Reuters, August 16.

Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Iran had significantly slowed its pace in accumulating uranium enriched to near weapons levels and liquefying part of its uranium stockpile.

The move could help defuse tensions with Washington, reviving broader talks over Iran's nuclear program.

Under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and six major powers, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program and make it harder for them to obtain atomic weapons, an ambition it denies, in return for US, EU and United Nations sanctions relief (United Nations).

When asked whether reports of a slowdown in Iran's nuclear program related to the release of US-Iranian prisoners under house arrest had any connection, Foreign Minister Blinken said the two issues were different.

Foreign Minister Blinken ensured that the release steps above were not related to other aspects of US policy towards Iran, which according to him reflected a strategy of deterrence, pressure and diplomacy.

"The agreement that we are working on to bring home those who are illegally detained in Iran is an entirely separate issue that we aim to complete successfully, and that is what I am focused on," he said.

It is known, sources said last Thursday, Iran could free five US citizens who were detained as part of a deal, to disburse $6 billion in Iranian funds in South Korea.

Iran allowed four detained US citizens to move to house arrest from prison. The fifth was already under house arrest earlier