Iran Blames US for Delays, Says Nuclear Talks ‘Still Not Derailed’

The Iran nuclear talks remain as stalled as ever, with Iran’s Foreign Ministry addressing the matter Monday, saying that they are ready for a deal, and that it is the US who keeps choosing to delay and prolong the process.

This contrasts US comments from the day before in which they claimed to have made an existing offer, but believe it is unlikely that the Iranians will accept it. The underlying message is that a deal wouldn’t happen, and Iran is to blame.

Iran’s position is broadly more hopeful, saying that the train of negotiations is “still not derailed,” but emphasizing that it is US choice that has kept a deal from having already been finalized.

That’s a not insignificant distinction. Both sides clearly want to blame the other for failures that have happened, but as Europe keeps trying to revive thew process, Iran remains hopeful of working things out. which suggests that there remains hope.

The US pessimism about the deal may not be a good sign, but it’s been so constant in recent months it doesn’t necessarily portend any new policy changes. If anything, the US seems more keen to placate its allies (Israel, Saudi Arabia) than on a deal happening.