🧵 Biden in speech to Munich Sec. Conf today “will communicate that we look forward to engaging in diplomacy. We are keen to sit down and hear what the Iranians have to say. We want to come up with a diplomatic solution to the nuclear program and let’s get to work. 1/
“With EU invitation..., think we have a path forward to return to nuclear diplomacy that puts us on a positive path,” a senior US administration official said yesterday. 2/
He won’t be getting into specific timetables. Overall message is about America is back, and how democracies have innate advantages and need to invest in those sources of their strengths and work together to handle the challenges they all confront. Speech at 11:15 am DC time
WH preview of Biden speech: “We are in the midst of a fundamental debate about the future direction of our world...We must demonstrate that democracies can still deliver for our people. That is our galvanizing mission. Democracy doesn’t happen by accident. We have to defend it
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Snr EU official: now with the US responding positively to this idea (for a meeting), we have now certain political momentum...So, in contact w/different parties to see whether it is possible to launch that invitation for an informal meeting. ... depends on a number of factors.
EU off'l cont'd: The meeting should be used for starting the process of getting back on track the JCPOA. This is our ambition. This is what we are working on. That would be the objective. Now we are in a difficult situation as agreement is concerned...
EU off'l contd: So I cannot give you a timeframe...it depends more on events that will be unfolding. Remarkable that the US has shown will to come to meeting...Remarkable that they say yes. A few hours later they sent a letter to president of UN Sec Council (revoking snapback)
Biden, Merkel, Macron join Munich Security Conference virtually…Boris Johnson will join a little later, host says. Noting Biden last year said, "We will be back." "Thank you for keeping that promise."
ordered a halt on withdrawal of US troops from Germany.
US determined to reengage with Europe. To consult with you.
Core proposition: that is that the United States must renew America's enduring advantages so we can meet today's challenges from a position of strength.
US has removed travel restrictions on diplomatic personnel assigned to the Iran mission to the UN imposed by the Trump admin, & circulated a letter to all members of UN Security Council rescinding Trump admin declaration of snapback sanctions on Iran, State Dept officials say
The US has also indicated it would accept the EU invitation to a meeting of Iran deal members to try to begin talks on how to resume a compliance for compliance deal, State Department officials said in call just now.
"If invited, we would be prepared to be there, with the goal of coming together to sit down and see what could be prolonged track of trying to get back where both US and Iran come back into compliance. That is not going to happen without a meeting....
🧵From US SecState/E3 FM joint statement: “The E3 welcomed the prospect of a U.S. and Iranian return to compliance with the JCPOA. The E3 and the United States affirmed their determination to then strengthen the JCPOA...” called on Iran not to take any additional steps...
The E3 & US affirmed shared objective of Iran’s return to full compliance..Blinken reiterated that, as Pres. Biden has said, if Iran comes back into strict compliance w/its commitments under JCPOA, US will do the same & is prepared to engage in discussions w/Iran toward that end
In this context, the E3 & US called on Iran not to take any additional steps, in part. wrt the suspension of the Additional Protocol & to any limitations on IAEA verification activities in Iran. The E3 & US united in underlining dangerous nature of a decision to limit IAEA access
But some Iran experts fear an announcement is not enough to get Iran to suspend plans to reduce some IAEA access next week. diplomatic.substack.com/p/source-biden…
"Any kind of declaratory policy is not going to be enough"...Without some action associated with the words, the Iranian government will “not have enough maneuvering space...They still need more than that.” diplomatic.substack.com/p/source-biden…
US Yemen envoy Tim Lenderking, asked if will hold direct talks with Iran on it, says he will leave that to others to discuss. UN envoy Griffiths just back from there, Lenderking discussed with him, Iran has bn playing unhelpful role, opportunity for Iran to put best foot forward
What would Iran showing support for Yemen peace effort look like? Lenderking: The main thing is to stop the support for lethal activity by the houthis
their ability to use uavs, missiles, plant mines, in waterways...
those things are really antithetical to peace effort in yemen
Lenderking: And if the Houthis want to state their good will, they will push away from Iran.
This is something they have stated.
They want to be seen as independent.