US To Increase Pressure On Iran If Nuclear Diplomacy Fails

The United States is set to increase pressure on Iran if nuclear diplomacy fails.

The United States is still pursuing talks on Iran's nuclear program but will work with allies to increase pressure on Iran if diplomacy fails, White House National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, said on Friday.

The talks were close to an agreement until Russia made last-minute demands of the United States, insisting that sanctions imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine would not hurt its trade with Iran.

Reuters reports US officials have been cautious in their assessment of efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers, which would curb Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for lifting tough sanctions on Iran's economy.

The reports added that substantial progress has been made in resolving a number of issues necessary for United States to come back to the deal on a compliance-for-compliance basis.

Jake Sullivan added; "There still are issues left. There still is work to be done."

"We are still seeking a diplomatic outcome here that puts Iran's nuclear program back in a box."

"Of course, if diplomacy doesn't succeed, then we will work very closely with our international partners to increase the pressure on Iran."

Iran Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, also said; "If the United States is pragmatic, a nuclear deal can be reached in the short term."