Blinken on reviving Iran nuclear deal

Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the issue of reviving the Iran nuclear deal, stating that current discussions with Tehran are not centered around an agreement. Speaking on CNN's "GPS" with Fareed Zakaria, Blinken criticized the Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, calling it a terrible mistake.

Blinken explained that the United States attempted to reenter the existing agreement with some modest modifications, but Iran did not agree to the terms, resulting in no current nuclear deal discussions. He emphasized that any potential agreement must align with U.S. security objectives and interests.

While expressing a commitment to diplomacy as the preferred means of resolution, Blinken acknowledged that other options remain available. At present, U.S. officials are focused on encouraging Iran to de-escalate tensions with Washington, D.C. before considering reentering nuclear negotiations.

He assured that the U.S. government is actively working on multiple fronts to address the situation, using various methods to apply pressure and deter Iran. Blinken reiterated the belief in the efficacy of diplomacy while acknowledging the availability of alternative measures if required.

Recently, Republican lawmakers cautioned the Biden administration against pursuing an agreement with Iran that would provide sanctions relief without congressional approval.