After Iran rejected an American proposal ... Washington is conducting consultations that include Russia, China and Paris, calling on Tehran to take constructive steps in the nuclear negotiations.

Washington affirmed its agreement to talks in Vienna despite Iran's rejection of an American proposal to lift sanctions in accordance with the principle of step by step. On the other hand, France called on Tehran not to commit any new breach of the nuclear agreement, and to take constructive steps to make the negotiations a success.

White House spokeswoman Jane Saki said that her country had agreed to participate in the talks on the nuclear deal with Iran in the Austrian capital Vienna next week, in agreement with the Europeans, the Russians and the Chinese.

Saki added - in a press conference - that the goal is to identify the issues involved in the mutual return to the nuclear agreement with Iran, considering that this step is welcome and may be constructive, despite the obstacles to the agreement.

She explained that the Vienna talks will be in the form of working groups formed by the European Union and the rest of the partners, including Iran, and will focus on the steps that the latter should take to comply with the agreement signed in 2015, as well as Washington's steps to ease sanctions on Tehran.

The White House spokeswoman added that her country does not expect direct talks between US and Iranian officials, but is open to these discussions.

Saki: We have agreed to participate in talks with our European, Russian and Chinese partners (Reuters)

Tough discussions

The US special envoy to Iran, Robert Malley, said - in a tweet on Twitter - that he would hold talks with European, Russian and Chinese partners, next week, to discuss what the United States and Iran should do to resume compliance with the nuclear deal.

Mali added that this is a first step, and that there are difficult discussions, but on the right path, as he put it.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said - in a press statement - that his country rejects any American proposal to lift the sanctions according to the principle of step by step, stressing that Tehran's final position is the need to lift all the sanctions imposed after Washington's withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.

French call

On the other hand, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that Iran should not commit any new breach of the nuclear agreement that might threaten the current course of negotiations, and called on Tehran to take constructive steps.

The European Union had announced meetings in Vienna next Tuesday between all the parties to the nuclear deal, including the United States, but Tehran reiterated its position by refusing to negotiate directly with Washington.

Although they acknowledge the difficulty of the talks, European Union officials hope to reach an agreement before next June.