The Iran nuclear deal really seems just a step away. CNN quotes a US government source as saying that Tehran failed on a “red line,” which was one of the most difficult points of the negotiations: removing the Revolutionary Guards from the US State Department’s blacklist of terrorist groups.
In recent days’ response to the European Union’s proposed draft nuclear deal – which the EU calls the “final” draft – Iran has not asked for the Pasdaran to be removed from the blacklist. “The current version of the text and what they are asking for” no longer includes that point, the official said, noting that the United States has repeatedly and consistently denied the request. “So if we’re closer to a deal, that’s why,” he commented.
The source reminded CNN that President Joe Biden has “firmly and consistently stated that he will not remove the designation of a terrorist group from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.” And he added that although a deal is now “closer than it was two weeks ago, the outcome remains uncertain as some gaps remain. President Biden will only approve a deal that serves our national security interests.”