US, Iran pessimistic about nuclear deal talks in Vienna

The United States and Iran are not very optimistic about the talks currently taking place in the Austrian capital, Vienna, which aim to revive the 2015 nuclear deal signed between Tehran and world powers, Reuters reports.

“I have to tell you, recent moves, recent rhetoric, don’t give us a lot of cause for … optimism,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Stockholm, saying he could judge in a day or so if Iran would engage in good faith.

Blinken made the comments after Iran provided the European powers with drafts on sanctions removal and nuclear commitments, as world powers and Tehran seek to reinstate the tattered pact, Reuters reported. The US is not directly involved in the talks.

However, Blinken added that “it is not too late for Iran to reverse course and engage meaningfully.”

Meanwhile, Iranian media quotes Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabollahian as saying: “We went to Vienna with serious determination, but we are not optimistic about the will and the intention of the United States ⁩and the three European parties to the deal.”

Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett asked Blinken to “immediately halt” negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme.

READ: Iran criticises US support for Israel nuclear program