White House: Biden Will Pursue ‘Other Available Options’ if Nuclear Deal Fails

The White House National Security Council spokesperson says U.S. President Joe Biden wants to ensure that “other available options” exist to prevent Iran from accessing nuclear weapons in case nuclear deal negotiations fail.

John Kirby stated on Thursday, September 8, that Washington will remain active in reviving the nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA, but its patience is not infinite.

The White House National Security Council spokesperson also emphasized: “It is clear to us that differences still exist and we are not as close to a deal as we would have liked.”

He further stated that although Joe Biden has so far encouraged and pursued the path of diplomacy, he has told cabinet members that he wants to ensure other available options exist to prevent nuclear Iran in case negotiations fail.

Iran’s recent proposals regarding receiving guarantees from the United States and closing the PMD file have reduced the hopes of European signatories to the JCPOA and the United States for reviving the agreement.

Meanwhile, Wednesday’s report by the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding Iran’s 60 percent enriched uranium reserves approaching the level needed to produce a nuclear bomb if enriched to 90 percent has also fueled a wave of concerns.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has emphasized that Iran has still not provided a convincing and credible answer regarding the origin of uranium discovered at three undeclared sites.

The international body says that the concerns of the IAEA Director General regarding Iran’s lack of cooperation on PMD issues and the absence of progress in clarifying the origin of the mentioned uranium are “increasingly” growing.

France Expresses Concern

Meanwhile, France’s Foreign Ministry, expressing “deep” concern about “Iran’s continued non-cooperation” with the International Atomic Energy Agency, announced that it is consulting with its partners on this matter ahead of the upcoming Board of Governors meeting.

Annick Léonard, spokesperson for France’s Foreign Ministry, stated on Thursday: “We regret that Iran has not taken advantage of the opportunities provided by the IAEA Director General to engage and clarify the issue of nuclear materials at undeclared sites.”

According to Annick Léonard, France will hold consultations with its allies and partners on this matter ahead of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors meeting on September 12 (next Monday).

France’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson clarified that if Iran does not cooperate, the International Atomic Energy Agency cannot guarantee that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has repeatedly warned in recent months that the Islamic Republic is not cooperating regarding the origin of uranium discovered at Iran’s undeclared sites.

The IAEA Board of Governors in June of this year criticized Iran’s non-cooperation with the international body by approving a resolution.

Inspectors from the Agency have so far identified three “suspicious” locations in Marivan, Turquzabad in the suburbs of Tehran, and Varamin, which the latter two sites “were likely demolished in 2003 and 2004 with the aim of destroying uranium traces.”

Source: Radio Farda