by “I don’t think Iran’s Supreme Leader wants to make a deal,” Richard Moore, the head of MI6, told CNN’s Jim Sciutto during an interview at the Aspen Security Forum, adding that he was “skeptical” of the supreme Leaders are motives. “I think the deal is absolutely on the table and the European powers and the government here are very, very clear about it and I don’t think the Chinese and Russians would block it on that issue. But I don’t think the Iranians want it.”
On Friday, a senior US official hinted there was still a chance of salvaging the deal.
Undersecretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland hinted that Tehran was still interested in reaching an agreement, noting that “they haven’t ditched it yet” and “they didn’t walk away when they did.” could have done in these many months”. where the deal was done and where it sits.”
Nuland said it was up to Iran – and ultimately Khamenei – to agree to the deal that was on the table.
“It would put their oil back on the market. It would give them some relief from some of the sanctions imposed. But so far they haven’t decided to go that route,” Sciutto told the Aspen Security Forum on Friday.
Nuland said that if Khamenei “doesn’t take the deal, obviously we have to step up the pressure.” She didn’t go into specifics about what that pressure would entail.
Robert Malley, US special envoy to Iran, echoed Biden’s views on Tuesday, saying the likelihood of a revival of the 2015 joint comprehensive plan of action was “decreasing by the day.” He also said that there is no deadline by which Tehran must return to the nuclear deal, but that the window is “closing pretty quickly” and “at some point, I think, it will become obvious to everyone that the offer is no longer available.” .”
CNN’s Kylie Atwood, Claire Calzonetti, and Emmet Lyons contributed to this report.
