US Envoy: Iranian Reasons For Not Resuming Nuclear Talks Wearing Thin

US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley speaking presently, says that the 'Iranian reasons for not resuming nuclear talks are wearing thin'. Some selected comments from Malley below:

• 'In the coming days, and weeks, there will be more intense diplomacy on Iran...There is a strong preference for diplomacy to resurrect the nuclear deal and find ways to economically engage Iran...The US is increasingly concerned that Iran will continue to postpone talks or will return with unreasonable demands'
• 'Our view is that the US has other tools to keep Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and we will use those if needed...We will never close the window for diplomacy [but] the question does remain whether the nuclear deal can be revived...For the US it is crucial that Iran respects its commitments to the IAEA'
• Talks on Iran coming back into compliance with the nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPoA) halted in the summer when the hardline administration of President Ebrahim Raisi took over from reformist President Hassan Rouhani. There has been little concrete signs of progress towards the Vienna talks resuming any time soon.