Attempt to revive Iran nuclear accord fails

HOPES of reviving the Iran nuclear deal suffered a blow yesterday as US officials swiftly rejected Tehran’s proposals as “not constructive”.

After the latest exchange of draft texts on the deal, US officials said they were studying the latest proposals put forward by Iran but had already drawn the conclusion that they would not lead to a breakthrough.

“We can confirm that we have received Iran’s response through the EU. We are studying it and will respond through the EU, but unfortunately it is not constructive,” said state department spokesman Vedant Patel.

Adrienne Watson, a spokesman for the US National Security Council, said that “some gaps have closed in recent weeks” with Iran, but sticking points remain.

Over the past two weeks, Iranian and US negotiators appeared close to securing a return to the accord, which would ease sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. It came as Iran said its navy seized two American sea drones in the Red Sea before releasing them.

State TV said the Iranian navy found “several unmanned spying vessels abandoned in the international maritime routes” on Thursday. “After two warnings to an American destroyer to prevent possible incidents, Jamaran seized the two vessels,” it added.

“After securing the international shipping waterway, the Naval Squadron No 84 released the vessels in a safe area.”