Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
Iran has rejected a proposal from the European Union to organize direct negotiations on a nuclear deal with the United States. The Wall Street Journal learned about it.
The WSJ, citing two Western diplomats, said that Iran ruled out a meeting in Europe, as it first wants to get guarantees that the United States will lift some of the sanctions after the meeting. The publication points out that this could lead to an increase in tension in international relations.
At the same time, diplomats said that Iran's refusal did not destroy all hopes for direct negotiations in the coming months, and that Tehran's move could be an attempt to gain an advantage in subsequent negotiations. They can start before the Iranian New Year, at the end of March.
Earlier it was reported that the administration of US President Joe Biden is considering easing sanctions against Iran, which were imposed during the term of the previous President Donald Trump. A source told The Sunday Times that the new administration is pushing for talks and “there are indications that sanctions will ease just around the corner.”
In January 2020, Iran announced its withdrawal from the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) agreements. In early May 2018, Trump announced Washington's unilateral withdrawal from the deal and the resumption of anti-Iranian sanctions.
The JCPOA agreement on Iran was concluded in the summer of 2015 between Tehran and six intermediary countries. Later, Iran was caught in gross violations of the agreements.
