Blinken Says U.S. Still ‘Long Way’ From Stronger Iran Deal
- State Department pick cites threats from China, Iran, Russia
- Nominee signals acceptance that world has changed since Obama
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President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the State Department said the U.S. is still a “long way” from securing a long-term deal with Tehran that improves the original Iran nuclear agreement but insisted that the country’s ability to develop weapons of mass destruction be put “back in the box.”
Secretary of state nominee Antony Blinken reiterated the incoming administration’s desire to re-enter the 2015 accord that President Donald Trump withdrew from three years ago. But Blinken -- who said the accord helped restrain Iran’s nuclear program -- added that Tehran must return to compliance with the terms of the deal first and he vowed to work closely with Congress as potential talks progress.