Iran expected to make written proposal for resolving stand-off with US: Senior US official
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Iran agreed to make a written proposal on how to address US concerns during the Geneva talks, a senior US official said.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON – Iran is expected to submit a written proposal on how to resolve its stand-off with the United States in the wake of US-Iran talks in Geneva on Feb 17, a senior US official told Reuters on Feb 18.
Top US national security advisers met in the White House Situation Room on Feb 18 to discuss Iran, and were told that all US military forces deployed to the region should be in place by mid-March, the official said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel to discuss Iran on Feb 28, the official said.
The indirect discussions on Feb 17
The US wants Iran to give up its nuclear programme, and Iran has adamantly refused and denied that it is trying to develop an atomic weapon.
Iran agreed to make a written proposal on how to address US concerns during the Geneva talks, the senior US official said.
“We are currently waiting for that from the Iranians,” the official said.
The US has sought to expand the scope of talks to non-nuclear issues such as Iran’s missile stockpile. Iran says it is willing only to discuss curbs on its nuclear programme, in exchange for sanctions relief, and that it will not give up uranium enrichment completely or discuss its missile programme.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Feb 18 that some progress was made in Geneva but that “we’re still very apart on some issues”.
Mr Trump has ordered a major military build-up in the region as he contemplates use of force with a second aircraft carrier group en route.
The senior US official said: “The President has ordered the continued build-up in the region, including the arrival of the second carrier group. Full forces should be in place by mid-March.” REUTERS
