White House Spokesperson: ‘Indirect’ Negotiations with Iran to Resume Thursday

Jen Psaki, White House spokesperson, reiterated on Wednesday the Biden administration’s commitment to continuing nuclear negotiations, stating that the United States and Iran will resume their ‘indirect’ talks on Thursday, April 15, aimed at reviving the JCPOA agreement in Vienna.

The White House spokesperson clarified to journalists that the United States is unwilling to add to existing speculation about the causes and origins of last weekend’s attacks on the Natanz nuclear facility.

Psaki stated that “diplomatic talks – although conducted indirectly – will resume tomorrow in Vienna,” adding: “We know that it will be a long process ahead, but we certainly view it as a positive sign.”

In another part of her remarks, she described the resumption of negotiations with the Islamic Republic as “a step forward” and expressed: “Our understanding is that they (Iranian officials) intend to show up tomorrow (in the negotiations).”

Jen Psaki had previously expressed concern on Tuesday about the Islamic Republic’s “provocative” move to begin uranium enrichment at 60 percent level.

The Iranian government announced on April 14 the beginning of 60 percent uranium enrichment in the country. Tehran’s announcement of this enrichment level occurred two days after an explosion at the Natanz facility.

Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s president, called this move on Wednesday “a response to recent sabotage” at the Natanz enrichment facility; the Islamic Republic and some Western and Israeli media outlets say Israel was behind this sabotage.

With escalating tensions in recent days, doubts about negotiations related to reviving the JCPOA, which took place in Vienna last week, have intensified significantly.

Source: Voice of America