CHICAGO: US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and the foreign ministers of France, Germany and the UK on Thursday reaffirmed their determination to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, according to American officials.

Blinken said that if Iran returns to full compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including a review of its activities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Washington will open discussions with the Iranian government.

He hosted a virtual meeting with the foreign ministers of the three European nations, sometimes referred to as the E3, during which they discussed Iran and the de-escalation of tensions in the Gulf, offered support for the efforts by UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths to end the war and address the humanitarian crisis in the country, denounced attacks targeting 抖阴短视频 and Iraq, and condemned the military coup in Myanmar.

鈥淭hey stressed in particular the urgency of ending the war in Yemen, while reaffirming their steadfast commitment to the security of their regional partners,鈥� according to an official US statement.

鈥淭hey expressed concern about the recent Houthi offensive against Marib and strikes against civilian infrastructure in 抖阴短视频, calling upon the Houthis and all Yemeni parties to engage constructively in the political process.鈥�

The officials said that any return to the JCPOA, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, would require IAEA-supervised inspections to monitor and verify Iranian compliance with the terms of the 2015 agreement, from which former President Donald Trump withdrew the US in 2018.

鈥淭he E3 and the United States are united in underlining the dangerous nature of a decision to limit IAEA access, and urge Iran to consider the consequences of such grave action, particularly at this time of renewed diplomatic opportunity,鈥� according to the statement.

鈥淭hey reiterated their full support for the professional and impartial role of the IAEA and its director general, and their efforts to implement the necessary verification and monitoring of Iran鈥檚 nuclear commitments under the JCPOA.鈥�

The officials said there is no 鈥渃redible civil justification鈥� for Iran to continue enriching uranium to 20 percent or produce uranium metal, a key step in the development of a nuclear weapon.

鈥淭he E3 welcomed the prospect of a US and Iranian return to compliance with the JCPOA,鈥� the statement continued. 鈥淭he E3 and the United States鈥痑ffirmed their determination to then strengthen the鈥疛CPOA and, together with regional parties and the wider international community, address broader security concerns鈥痳elated to Iran鈥檚 missile programs and regional activities. We are committed to working together toward these goals.

鈥淭he ministers also called on Iran to release all our arbitrarily detained nationals and reunite them with their families. They also expressed deep concern about the continuing grave human-rights violations in Iran.鈥�

The officials urged military leaders in Myanmar to 鈥渋mmediately end the state of emergency, restore power to the democratically elected government, refrain from violence, release all those unjustly detained, and respect human rights and the rule of law.鈥�

Myanmar鈥檚 democratically elected government was removed from power by a military coup on Feb. 1.

Soleimani鈥檚 shadow

Qassem Soleimani left a trail of death and destruction in his wake as head of Iran鈥檚 Quds Force 鈥� until his assassination on Jan. 3, 2020. Yet still, his legacy of murderous interference continues to haunt the region

Enter

keywords