The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell confirmed that the Iranian nuclear agreement is in progress, describing the US response to Tehran's proposals as very reasonable, while Iran demanded again Thursday that the International Atomic Energy Agency close the file of undeclared sites suspected of having witnessed nuclear activities as a condition for reaching an agreement.

"I have good news, the nuclear agreement is in progress, and I was told that Washington sent a response to the Iranian proposal, and I can describe the American response as reasonable, and this moves the ball back to Tehran," Borrell said.

Borrell added that Russia does not like the revival of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the West, because if the nuclear agreement succeeds, Iranian oil will enter the market instead of Russia.

The US response came more than a week after Tehran sent its response to what Borrell described as the final text to revive the nuclear deal.

Earlier this month, the European Union submitted a final settlement proposal, calling on Tehran and Washington, which are indirectly negotiating, to respond to it, hoping to culminate in talks that began a year and a half ago.


Iranian terms

For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said that Tehran is serious about resolving outstanding issues regarding comprehensive safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and we are not ready to keep some baseless accusations from the International Atomic Energy Agency to be repeated.

One of the main points demanded by Tehran was the closure of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the issue of finding traces of nuclear materials at sites that Iran did not claim to have witnessed nuclear activities, an issue that has recently raised tension between the two parties.

In a meeting with the Iranian community in Tanzania, Abdullahian added that a meeting could be held to sign an agreement in Vienna if the US response respects Iran's red lines, as he put it.

Earlier on Thursday, the Iranian Foreign Minister made it clear that Tehran had assured all parties to the nuclear agreement that it was necessary to resolve what he described as fabricated political issues related to safeguards with the International Atomic Energy Agency in any agreement.

Abdullahian added, in a telephone conversation with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, that Tehran has demonstrated its practical seriousness in reaching an agreement, which he described as strong and sustainable, and that it is currently studying the American response to revive the nuclear agreement.

Abdullahian criticized what he called Israel's disregard for the non-joining of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its refusal to place its nuclear facilities within the comprehensive safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

For his part, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that the Secretary-General spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian by phone about resuming the nuclear agreement, and that he stressed the importance of all parties' work to revive the agreement.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that it had begun a careful study of the American response to its observations to resolve the outstanding issues in the nuclear negotiations, and the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that it would inform the European coordinator of its opinion after completing that.

For his part, the adviser to the Iranian negotiating delegation, Muhammad Marandi, said - in a tweet on Twitter - that the idea of ​​a firm response from the United States is wrong, and that Iran has achieved a lot in the past few months as well as in recent days, as he put it.


American anticipation

On the other hand, White House spokeswoman Karen John Pierre said that the United States and its allies are ready for all scenarios, whether or not a mutual return to the agreement is achieved.

And she added, in statements during her regular meeting with the media, that US President Joe Biden will agree to the agreement if he decides that it is in the interest of American national security.

Pierre indicated that diplomacy is the best way to return to the nuclear agreement, and that Washington will continue to hold talks in this regard.

For his part, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said that efforts to revive the nuclear agreement have not been able to fill some of the gaps during the past two weeks because Iran has made additional demands.

He explained in an interview with CNN that the United States and Iran have become closer today, but they have not yet reached an agreement.

Price stressed that the nuclear agreement is about one thing, which is the permanent and verifiable assurance that Iran will not obtain any nuclear weapon.

Qatari welcome

Meanwhile, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stressed in a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart the importance of reaching a fair agreement for all that takes into account the concerns of all parties.

He stressed, during a call with his Iranian counterpart, that reaching an agreement is in the interest of the security and stability of the region.


Israeli anger

In a related context, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said that his country will work in every way to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear state.

Lapid's office said he had held a meeting with Mossad chief David Barnea in which he discussed the dangers of returning to the nuclear agreement.

And Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper quoted the Mossad chief as saying that Washington is rushing to sign the nuclear agreement, knowing that it is an absolute lie and goes against reason.

In turn, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that he is heading to the United States on an important visit;

Its purpose is to deliver a clear message regarding the negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.

Gantz added - in a tweet on Twitter - that any agreement that will not restore Iran's capabilities and will not leave it constrained for several years to come, would harm global and regional security.