Sullivan: We Are Not Close to a Nuclear Agreement with Iran; I Have Deep Respect for Robert Malley

Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, stated on Sunday, July 16, in an interview with CBS News that Washington continues to work for the release of four American prisoners in Iran, that we are not close to a nuclear agreement with Iran, and that he has deep respect for Robert Malley. Robert Malley, the U.S. Special Envoy for Iran, was suspended last month, which has sparked many reactions among American politicians. Sullivan commented on whether the U.S. has reached an understanding with Iran regarding the release of the four American prisoners, saying, 'We have worked very hard to ensure the release of the four Americans who are unjustly detained in Iran; we have been doing this since Biden took office. We have been in indirect contact with Iran in an effort to reach an agreement that would lead to their release. So far, we have not reached an understanding that would lead to their release. We will continue to work on this. I hope we can achieve it. Unfortunately, I have nothing to announce today.' Sullivan then addressed whether the U.S. is close to a 'real agreement' regarding Iran's nuclear program, stating, 'In relation to the nuclear program, we are not close to any agreement.' Regarding whether Robert Malley will return to the Biden administration, he said, 'Robert Malley has served honestly and well in the administrations of [several presidents]. He is a government employee. He is a diplomat. He has been involved in high-level diplomacy and high-stakes issues for a long time. He is someone whom many of us, including myself, have great respect for. I cannot speak about the current situation. I must refer you to the State Department on this matter.'