TEHRAN—Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator accused the United States on Thursday of failing to establish trust during recent diplomatic talks, leading to a breakdown in discussions over Tehran’s atomic program. The remarks, delivered at a press conference in Tehran, marked the first official Iranian response since negotiations stalled earlier this week.
The talks, aimed at reviving the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have faced repeated setbacks since the U.S. withdrew from the agreement in 2018. Analysts note that mutual distrust has deepened following Washington’s reimposition of sanctions and Iran’s subsequent expansion of uranium enrichment.
“We engaged in good faith, but the American delegation’s actions did not match their words,” said an unnamed senior Iranian official familiar with the discussions. Western diplomats, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, countered that Iran had introduced last-minute demands unrelated to the original nuclear deal.
Regional experts warn that the impasse increases the risk of escalation. “Without a diplomatic off-ramp, both sides may resort to coercive measures,” said a Gulf-based security analyst cited by the International Crisis Group. The White House has yet to issue a formal response.