US Prepares for Possible Failure of Nuclear Negotiations with Iran
Jen Psaki, White House spokesperson, and Lloyd Austin, US Defense Secretary, spoke of “possible options” for the US in case of failure of ongoing JCPOA revival negotiations in Vienna. Israel’s Defense Minister also traveled to the US simultaneously with the continuation of Vienna talks.
French news agency reported from Washington that the US government is preparing for the possible failure of nuclear negotiations with Iran.
Jen Psaki, White House spokesperson, said on Thursday, December 18 (December 9) that US President Joe Biden has instructed his team to prepare “other options” in case diplomatic efforts fail. Psaki mentioned “additional sanctions” against Iran in this regard.
The White House spokesperson made these remarks simultaneously with the continuation of the eighth round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and world powers.
These negotiations resumed on Thursday, December 18 after a six-day pause. Representatives from Iran, Germany, Britain, China, France, and Russia are participating in these negotiations. A US delegation will also participate indirectly in the talks.
Military Maneuvers by US, Israel, UAE, and Bahrain
Simultaneously with these developments, Benny Gantz, Israel’s Defense Minister, also traveled to the US on Thursday, December 18 and met with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin. The defense ministers of Israel and the US discussed “joint military maneuvers to counter Tehran’s nuclear programs.”
An American official told Reuters news agency that the meeting between the defense ministers of the two countries is a continuation of reviews conducted on October 25 by US Defense Department officials in the presence of Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, in which a range of military options available to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons were discussed.
Lloyd Austin, US Defense Secretary, emphasized during his meeting with Benny Gantz that he has been deeply concerned about Iran’s nuclear activities in recent months. He also spoke of “Iran’s continued provocations and lack of diplomatic engagement.”
Austin stressed that Biden has explicitly stated that the US is prepared to turn to other options if JCPOA negotiations fail.
The US Defense Secretary provided no further clarification regarding these options. However, he referred to a joint military maneuver by the US, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain in the Red Sea, saying that the “regional security architecture” would be further expanded.
Source: DW
