Iran reportedly rebuffed an effort to hold direct nuclear talks with the US, senior diplomats told the Wall Street Journal
"Two senior Western diplomats said Iran has ruled out attending a meeting in Europe for now, saying it wanted a guarantee first that the US would lift some sanctions after the meeting," the US daily reported. According to the paper, the US said it was willing to sit with Iran for direct talks under the auspices of the EU but insisted that it would not lift sanctions before they commenced. This refusal resulted, according to the diplomats, in Iran turning down the offer.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
Iran and the US have been at odds in recent days over the way forward over how to revive nuclear talks aimed at curtailing Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the administration was seeking a "longer and stronger" deal than the one former President Donald Trump left in 2018, while Iran has insisted that the US lift sanctions and re-enter the 2015 deal that was negotiated by President Barack Obama first.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
