Blinken Sticks to Efforts for Reviving Iran Nuclear Deal

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Reuters)
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Blinken Sticks to Efforts for Reviving Iran Nuclear Deal

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Reuters)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed on Tuesday that Washington still believes that reviving the nuclear deal with Tehran remains as “the best way to address the nuclear challenge posed by Iran.”

He stressed the US ability to curb Iran’s other malign activities.

Speaking to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Blinken vowed to hold an open Iran hearing before Memorial Day, which falls at the end of May.

The Secretary also claimed that Iran’s nuclear breakout time went from a year “to a matter of weeks” due to the US withdrawal from the deal. “Iran is acting with more destabilizing effect throughout the region,” he said.

Blinken reiterated previous comments that the Biden administration inherited a “very challenging situation,” adding that they were “ramped up” by Iranian escalations.

“We continue to believe that getting back into compliance with the agreement would be the best way to address the nuclear challenge posed by Iran and to make sure that an Iran that is already acting with incredible aggression doesn't have a nuclear weapon,” Blinken told the Committee.

Turning to the increasing Iranian attacks on US forces in the region, Blinken spoke of two points.

The first point is that these activities would be much worse if Tehran obtained a nuclear weapon.

The second point is that the nuclear agreement with Iran will not affect the US ability and determination to pursue it with respect to hostilities and in coordination with allies.

Blinken stressed that the goal of the United States is that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) asked Blinken if it was true that the US conditions to remove the Revolutionary Guards from its terrorism list in exchange for Tehran giving up its revenge for the death of its Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani.

Blinken did not answer the question directly and instead recognized that there is an ongoing threat against US officials both present and past.

“Is it true the State Department is spending roughly $2 million a month to protect those affected?” Cruz asked, referring to an Associated Press report that revealed the State Department is paying that amount towards security for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and a former top aide.
“We are making — we will — we are making sure, and we will make sure for as long as it takes that we’re protecting our people, past and former if they’re, if they’re under threat,” Blinken responded.



White House Withdraws Nomination for US Hostage Envoy

FILE PHOTO: Adam Boehler, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing when he was CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, US, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Adam Boehler, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing when he was CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, US, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo/File Photo
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White House Withdraws Nomination for US Hostage Envoy

FILE PHOTO: Adam Boehler, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing when he was CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, US, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Adam Boehler, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing when he was CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, US, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo/File Photo

The Trump administration has withdrawn the nomination of Adam Boehler to serve as special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, the White House said on Saturday.
Boehler, who has been working to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, will continue hostage-related work as a so-called "special government employee," a position that would not need Senate confirmation.
"Adam Boehler will continue to serve President Trump as a special government employee focused on hostage negotiations," White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
"Adam played a critical role in negotiating the return of Marc Fogel from Russia. He will continue this important work to bring wrongfully detained individuals around the world home."
A White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Boehler withdrew his nomination to avoid divesting from his investment company. The move was unrelated to the controversy sparked by his discussions with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
"He still has the utmost confidence of President Trump," said the official.
"This gives me the best ability to help Americans held abroad as well as work across agencies to achieve President Trump’s objectives," Boehler told Reuters in a brief statement.
Boehler recently held direct meetings with Hamas on the release of hostages in Gaza. The discussions broke with a decades-old policy by Washington against negotiating with groups that the US brands as terrorist organizations.
The talks angered some Senate Republicans and some Israeli leaders. According to Axios, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer expressed his displeasure to Boehler in a tense phone call last week.