Francois Murphy and Arshad Muhammad

VIENNA, Reuters – The United States will not reach an agreement with Iran in order to save 2015’s Iran nuclear deal unless Tehran frees four Americans Washington claims it holds hostage. This was the main U.S. nuclear negotiator who spoke to Reuters Sunday.

Robert Malley, the U.S. special envoy for Iran, reiterated long-standing U.S. positions that Iran cannot discuss the issues of four individuals held there. But he moved closer to stating that their release was necessary for any agreement.

“They are distinct and we’re following both of them.” Malley spoke out to Reuters about the difficult situation of resuming negotiations on the nuclear accord while Iran holds four Americans hostage.

“So, even while we’re talking with Iran indirectly about the nuclear file, we are also conducting, again indirectly,” he stated in Vienna. He spoke from Vienna as talks continue to bring Washington and Tehran into compliance with the deal.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, an elite group of Iranian revolutionaries, have taken dozens of foreigners and dual nationals into custody in recent years. They are mostly being held on security-related and espionage related charges.

Iran has been accused by rights groups of using prisoners for diplomatic leverage. However, Western powers insist that Tehran be free its citizens.

Tehran says that no one is being held hostage for political or other reasons.

MESSAGE SENT

Malley spoke in joint interviews with Barry Rosen (77 year-old ex-diplomat from the United States) to ask for the release of U.S. and British prisoners held in Iran. He also demanded that no nuclear deal be made without these release.

Rosen was among more than 50 U.S. diplomats detained during the 1979-1981 Iran hostage crises.

Malley added, “I spoke to many of the relatives of the hostages, who are tremendously grateful for what Mr Rosen has done, but also urge him to end his hunger strike. As I am, the message has been received.”

Rosen stated that he felt weak after not eating for five days and would listen to those who called.

Rosen explained, “At the request of Special Envoy Malley, my doctors and others we agreed that after this meeting I would cease my hunger strikes but this doesn’t mean other people will not accept the baton.”

Eighth round of indirect talks are underway between Iran and America to bring both countries back in compliance with the 2015 landmark nuclear deal. Iran is refusing to meet with U.S. officials. This means that others are moving between them.

Iran was granted major powers’ lifting of sanctions in return for restrictions on nuclear activities. This extended Iran’s time to acquire enough fissile materials to make a nuclear bomb, if necessary. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.

Donald Trump, then-President of the United States pulled America out the 2018 deal and placed severe economic sanctions against Tehran. Iran broke many of the nuclear restrictions contained in the deal, and the Western powers believe that the deal will be soon canceled completely.

LEVERAGE

Malley answered a question about whether the United States and Iran might engage in direct negotiations. “We’d love it.”

These four U.S. citizens are Siamak Namazi (Iran-American Businessman), and his father Baquer (85), who were both convicted for “collaboration to a hostile Government”.

Namazi continues to be in prison. His sentence was reduced from time served to medical reasons in 2018. Namazi’s dad was eventually released. The elder Namazi is not currently in jail, but a family lawyer says that his father is technically barred from leaving Iran.

“Senior Biden officials repeatedly stated to us that even though the possible Iranian nuclear and hostage agreements are separate and should be negotiated along parallel tracks, they will still not conclude the nuclear agreement by themselves,” Jared Genser said, the pro bono counsel to Namazi families.

He added, “Otherwise all leverage to free the hostages will be lost.”

Other than Emad Shargi (57), an environmentalist, Morad Takbaz (66) is British and Emad Shargi (57).