Blinken says Washington can’t confirm Iran deal linked to nuclear concessions

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Joe Biden’s administration cannot confirm reports that Iran has recently rolled back some of its enrichment of nearly weapons-grade uranium, amid Israeli claims that the deal struck last week for Tehran to release American detainees is tied to the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.

“I can’t confirm the reports that you’ve cited. What I can say is, of course, we would welcome any steps that Iran takes to actually deescalate the growing nuclear threat,” says Blinken during a press briefing. “This development — that is the move of our detainees out of prison and to home detention — is not linked to any other aspect of our foreign policy.”

The US says it agreed to allow Iran to access roughly $6 billion in its own funds that have been held in South Korea in exchange for the five detainees’ release, but Blinken reiterated that the funds will be closely monitored and only be okayed for humanitarian use.

“Nothing about our overall approach to Iran has changed,” he says. “We continue to pursue a strategy of deterrence, of pressure and of diplomacy. We remain committed to ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. We continue to hold the regime accountable for its human rights abuses, destabilizing actions in the region, funding of terrorism and provision of drones to Russia for its use in the war against Ukraine, among many other offenses.”