Iran Invites Back To Nuclear Pact That Trump Left Behind, US Responds To Cold

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (Source: Antara, IRNA)

JAKARTA - The United States (US) responded coldly to Iran's invitation to jointly return to the Iran nuclear pact. Iran has previously said the US still has some way of talking to Iran or considering their proposals.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said one way of bridging the deadlock between Tehran and Washington was through European Union officials. They must design steps so that the US returns to the 2015 nuclear pact, which was left behind when the US was led by Donald Trump in 2018.

This is the first time Zarif has hinted that Iran may yield to his demands for the US to ease their economic sanctions before Tehran continues to be non-compliant to the nuclear pact.

"We have not had any discussions with Iran, and I do not expect us to do so until the initial steps bear fruit," said State Department spokesman Ned Price.

The statement was made referring to the Biden administration's consultations with allies, partners and the US Congress. "There are (many) steps in that process."

"Before we reach the point where we will engage directly with Iran and are willing to consider various proposals," he continued.

Under the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers, Tehran agreed to limit their nuclear program which made it difficult for it to develop nuclear weapons in exchange for easing from the US and other economic sanctions.

After leaving the nuclear agreement, Trump again imposed US sanctions and added new sanctions against Iran.