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Bolton says Iran silence on US talks offer ‘deafening’
JERUSALEM, June 25, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – US National Security Advisor John
Bolton on Tuesday described as “deafening” Iran’s apparent silence on an
offer to negotiate with Washington.
“The president has held the door open to real negotiations,” Bolton said
in a statement.
“In response, Iran’s silence has been deafening,” he added during a visit
to Jerusalem.
The United States imposed sanctions Monday on Iran’s supreme leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and others, which the Iranian foreign ministry said
meant a “permanent closure of the path to diplomacy” with the US
administration.
Tensions are running high after Iran shot down a US spy drone last week
and Trump considered, then cancelled, a retaliatory strike.
Bolton said Tuesday the US remains open to negotiations, more than a year
after Washington pulled out of a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and
world powers.
“All that Iran needs to do is to walk though that open door,” he said.
But Iran’s president said Washington’s decision to impose sanctions on
senior officials including its top diplomat proved the US was “lying” about
talks.
“At the same time as you call for negotiations you seek to sanction the
foreign minister? It’s obvious that you’re lying,” President Hassan Rouhani
said in a meeting with ministers broadcast live on TV.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1348 hrs