White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday that Washington would not accept Iran's written response in negotiations over a final draft of a roadmap for parties to return to the 2015 nuclear deal.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said in a statement that "the sent text has a constructive approach with the aim of finalizing the negotiations." However, as in the last round of written proposals and counters, Tehran offered no public acknowledgment of what it said. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all matters of state, has largely been silent in recent weeks on the negotiations.
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The Islamist Republic insists on the closure of the International Atomic Energy Agency investigation into uranium traces found at three of its undeclared sites, a matter that was not part of the negotiations until about two weeks ago.
Israel believes that Iran adopting a tougher stance might delay the renewal of the pact, but not prevent it.
"The nuclear deal is being postponed, but both parties want it. That's why it seems that there will be an agreement in the end," a political source told Israel Hayom.
He also stressed that Washington was allowing Tehran to buy more time and get more concessions.
"The Iranians are taking a step forward and a step back and are trying to get more concessions from the Americans. The US and Europe have told the Iranians before that it was the last 'take it or leave it' proposal, yet the talks continue. Israel's position is that the red line should not be crossed," he said.
Mossad chief David Barnea left for Washington this week as part of efforts by Israeli officials to prevent the renewal of the pact. He is expected to meet with several high-ranking US officials and express Israel's concerns on the matter.
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