“This is really the critical stage at which we will be able to determine whether or not a return to compliance with the JCPOA is imminent,” Price told reporters, referring to the nuclear deal.
A State Department spokesman said, “Direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran will be in the interest of the United States.”
Paris ruled out holding a meeting between US Secretary of State Anthony Belinken and his Iranian counterpart, Amir Abdollahian, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
In turn, the chief Iranian negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, said on Twitter Wednesday: “After weeks of intense talks, we are closer than ever to reaching an agreement,” but added that “nothing is agreed upon unless everything is agreed.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Wednesday that only days were left for a decision on reviving the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, but it was now up to Tehran to make the political decision.
Indirect talks between Iran and the United States on reviving the nuclear deal resumed last week, after a 10-day hiatus.