Iran says won’t wait forever’ for nuke deal

In this May 24, 2021 file photo, the flag of Iran waves in front of the International Center building with the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, in Vienna, Austria. (FLORIAN SCHROETTER / AP)

TEHRAN – Tehran will not wait "forever" for a possible nuclear deal if the United States fails to make decisions, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said Tuesday.

The United States has already "walked away" from the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Khatibzadeh tweeted in response to his US counterpart's remark on Monday that Washington is ready to withdraw from the Vienna talks if Tehran becomes tough.

ALSO READ: Iran FM: Vienna talks not over, US must make tough decisions

"Everyone has its own plan B, though US' has proven hollow. Blusters & bluffs have/will not work. Decisions do," he noted.

"A deal is at hand, if WH (White House) makes its mind. Iran is willing, but will not wait forever," he added.

Iran signed the original nuclear deal with world powers in July 2015. However, former US president Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed Washington's unilateral sanctions on Tehran, which prompted the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments and advance its halted nuclear program.

READ MORE: Iran urges West be realistic in nuclear talks, recalls negotiator

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in Vienna between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties, namely Britain, China, France, Russia plus Germany, with the United States indirectly involved in the talks, to revive the landmark deal.