The Biden administration plans to reject an Iranian demand that the United States remove the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from its foreign terrorist organization list, the Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing defense sources.
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Last month, it was reported that the US was considering delisting the IRGC as part of negations to restore the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
"The onus is on Iran as to whether we have a nuclear deal. The president will stick to core principles. The Iranians know our views," a senior administration official told the paper, stressing that Biden does not intend to concede on the terrorist designation, even if it comes at the expense of the revival of the pact.
Israeli officials reacted with caution, saying the US decision was not final and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was still in favor of the move. They also expressed concern over the possibility of Washington making concessions in other areas, which could lead to powers coming to an agreement.
One diplomat told Israel Hayom that the powers could also revive the deal if instead of the US making concessions, Iran gives up its demands. In any case, Israel has long opposed the deal, saying it could endanger its security, as well as that of the region and the US.
The report comes following a week of efforts by Israeli officials in Washington vis-à-vis US lawmakers to explain Jerusalem's position on the matter, including Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's advisor Shimrit Meir and Israel's Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog.
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