U.S. President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan says dealing with China, Afghanistan and Iran are key early priorities for the new administration.
“From our perspective, tackling the onset of a growing nuclear crisis must be a critical early priority as they (Iran) move closer and closer to a range of fine weapons. , “Sullivan told an online program sponsored by the U.S. Institute of Peacemaking Friday.
“We want to make sure we establish some of the parameters and limitations around the program that have fallen apart over the last few years,” Sullivan continued.
Sullivan’s comments come after Biden’s new secretary of state Tony Blinken on Wednesday asked Tehran to resume compliance with Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal before Washington does so.
Blinken said “if Iran returns to full compliance with its obligations under the JCPOA, the United States would do the same”.
Tehran will not accept U.S. demands to stop accelerating its nuclear program before Washington imposes sanctions, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Friday.
The request is “not practical and will not happen”, he said at a press conference in Istanbul with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Iran broke the terms of the contract in a step-by-step response to the decision by Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump to abandon the deal in 2018 and impose sanctions on Tehran.
Earlier this month, Iran began enriching uranium to 20 percent at its Fordow underground nuclear plant – a level it achieved before the agreement.
However, Iran has said it can reverse these breaches quickly if U.S. sanctions are lifted.
“If the United States fulfills its obligations, we will fulfill our obligations in full,” he said.
A ‘hard look’ at the Taliban agreement
Sullivan has considered a May 1 deadline to withdraw the remaining U.S. forces in Afghanistan under the agreement, saying they are “taking a hard look” at the Taliban’s compliance with the agreement. with the US before deciding how to proceed.
The February 2020 agreement with the Taliban calls for the withdrawal of U.S. troops by May 2021 as a reward for the organization fulfilling security promises.
The agreement, Sullivan said, contains three conditions that “stand out” for Biden’s administration: The Taliban cuts ties with “terrorist” groups, their “significant” reduction in violence and support for cessation. and their involvement in “genuine… non-fraudulent negotiations” with the Afghan government.
“What we are doing now is taking a hard look at the extent to which the Taliban are indeed complying with these three conditions, and in that context, we are doing decisions about the position of our force and our diplomatic strategy are going forward, “Sullivan said.
His comments come one day after the Pentagon said it was “very difficult” to see a “way forward” with the agreement without the Taliban fulfilling its promises.
“Without them fulfilling their promises to stop terrorism and stop the brutal attacks on Afghan National Security Forces… it is very difficult to see a specific path to the compromise, but we remain committed to that, “the Pentagon told John Kirby told reporters Thursday.
U.S. and diplomatic officials have said ties between the Taliban, especially its Haqqani Network branch, and al-Qaeda remain close.
“So far, the Taliban have been, to put it politely, calm to meet their requirements,” Kirby said.
Meanwhile, the Taliban on Friday accused the U.S. of breaking their side of the deal with suspicion saying “almost every day they are breaking it”.
“They are attacking civilians, houses and small towns, and we have been told from time to time that this is not just a breach of the agreement but a violation of human rights,” said Mohammad Naeem, a Taliban. Qatar, told AFP news agency on Friday.
China is also important
Sullivan also said Friday that the United States must be willing to charge China for what it has done against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, their crackdown in Hong Kong and threats against Taiwan.
He said the U.S. needs to speak with clarity and consistency and must be “ready to work, as well as impose costs, for what China is doing in Xinjiang, what it is doing there. the Hong Kong, for the bell and the threats they design. towards Taiwan ”.
Sullivan did not analyze specific steps Washington could take.
He said China’s issue was at the forefront of those to be dealt with between the US and allies in Europe and stressed the need to agree responses with Europe on trade and technology abuse there. in China.
“We do not have complete views on all of these issues … I think China is right at the top of the list of things we need to work together and where there is work. to be done to make a full connection. “
The Biden administration, which took office on Jan. 20, has said it will continue Trump’s hard-line approach but wants Beijing’s cooperation on policy priorities such as climate change.
Blinken has backed a last-minute decision by his predecessor, Mike Pompeo, that China has made a genocide in Xinjiang. The move will increase pressure for more U.S. sanctions, which the Trump administration also put in place in Beijing’s crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong.
The Biden administration issued a strong statement in support of Taiwan amid Chinese military activity near the island, confirming that the U.S. commitment to Taipei is “rock solid”.