National security advisor: US began to communicate with Iran about hostages

National Security Advisor Jake SullivanJake SullivanSunday shows the preview: CDC school reopening orientation arouses debate; Texas battle winter freeze Erdoğan: Turkey wants to strengthen ties with the US after relationship has been ‘seriously tested’ Biden speaks to Netanyahu for the first time since taking office MORE on Sunday, he said the Biden government had started arguing with Iran over the American hostages that the Islamic Republic currently holds.

CBS host Margaret Brennan “Face the Nation” asked Sullivan if negotiations with the hostages had started, noting that at least five Americans are being held in Iran.

“We intend to communicate directly with the Iranians about the total and utter outrage, the humanitarian catastrophe that is the unjust and illegal detention of American citizens in Iran,” said Sullivan.

“Yes, we started to communicate with the Iranians on this issue,” continued Sullivan. “And we will continue to do so as we move forward. And our strong message to the Iranians will be that we will not accept a long-term proposal in which they continue to keep Americans in an unfair and illegal manner. It will be a significant priority for this government to bring these Americans safely home. “

Brennan also asked whether Tehran had responded to an offer last week from the US and the European Union to meet on the 2015 nuclear deal and whether the offer was still going on, since Iran had said it would reduce some of the access granted to surveillance nuclear power of the international community.

“First, Joe BidenJoe BidenNearly 70 dead in states with severe winter weather: report Two more confirmed deaths in Louisiana related to severe winter weather Lawyer who filed a lawsuit to reverse the 2020 election results sent by the judge for discipline MORE is determined, determined to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Second, he believes that obstinate and insightful diplomacy is the best way to do this, ”replied Sullivan, saying that the offer to negotiate is still standing.

“It is Iran that is diplomatically isolated, not the United States. And the ball is in their side, ”said Sullivan.

The Fars News Agency (FNA), Iran’s semi-official news agency, after the interview released a statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman that rejected reports that direct negotiations had started.

“We received some messages from the Swiss embassy about the exchange of prisoners,” the spokesman said in a tweet translated from the FNA. “The release of Iranian prisoners in United States prisons is our priority, but there has been no direct dialogue and this is not true.”

Switzerland represents US interests in Iran.

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