European powers say they are near end of road to save Iran deal
VIENNA, (Reuters) - Three European powers said yesterday "we are rapidly reaching the end of the road" to save the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as Tehran accused Western powers of engaging in a "blame game."
The comments suggest indirect U.S.-Iran talks on preserving the pact under which Iran limited its nuclear programme in return for relief from economic sanctions may be approaching collapse, with all sides seeking to avoid being held responsible.
"Iran’s continued nuclear escalation means that we are rapidly reaching the end of the road," France's ambassador to the United Nations, Nicolas de Riviere, said at the world body, reading a joint statement from Britain, France and Germany.
"We are nearing the point where Iran’s escalation of its nuclear programme will have completely hollowed out the JCPoA," he added, referring to the pact, named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Iran cast itself as the aggrieved party as a result of then-U.S. President Donald Trump's 2018 decision to abandon the deal and reimpose harsh U.S. sanctions, a move that prompted Tehran to begin violating its nuclear restrictions about a year later.
On Twitter, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, wrote: "Some actors persist in their blame game habit, instead of real diplomacy. We proposed our ideas early, and worked constructively and flexibly to narrow gaps."
Referring to the 2018 U.S. withdrawal, he wrote: "Diplomacy is a two-way street. If there's real will to remedy the culprit's wrongdoing, the way for a quick, good deal will be paved."
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington continues to pursue diplomacy with Iran because "it remains, at this moment, the best option", but added that it was "actively engaging with allies and partners on alternatives".