The United States has said that significant progress in resuming the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran is unlikely until Tehran releases four US hostages.
Speaking to Reuters, Robert Mele, the US special envoy to Iran, reiterated that the United States has long held that position. The case of the four men is separate from the nuclear talks, but their release is a prerequisite for resumption of work on the agreement."The two are separate and we are moving forward, but I would say it is very difficult for us to get back into the agreement and hold four innocent Americans hostage in Iran," he added.
"While we are negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran, we are also talking indirectly about ensuring the release of hostages," he said.
In an interview with Reuters, he added that Vienna, where the talks are taking place, is bringing the two countries to full compliance with the agreement.
In recent years, Iran's Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of foreigners with dual citizenship, most of them on espionage and security charges.
Human rights groups have accused Iran of using detainees for diplomatic purposes.
Western powers have long demanded that Iran release its citizens, who it says are political prisoners.
On the other hand, Tehran has refused to arrest people on political grounds.
Fair was accompanied by J. Barry Rosen, 77, who has been on a hunger strike for the release of American, French, German, Australian and Swedish nationals and has demanded that no agreement be restored without their release. It should be.
Rosen is one of more than 50 diplomats held hostage between 1989 and 1981.
"I have spoken to the families of the hostages. They are grateful to Rosen that they are doing their job, but they are also demanding an end to the hunger strike, because the message has arrived," Mele said.
