White House: The 10-Year Nuclear Agreement with Iran is Not Accurate

The White House has denied reports about a 10-year nuclear agreement with Iran. Meanwhile, the EU's foreign policy chief emphasized that a nuclear agreement with Iran is available. According to Reuters, Josh Earnest, the White House spokesman, announced on Tuesday that reports from media suggesting that the United States and Iran are considering a 10-year nuclear agreement are not true. The Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press reported on Monday that based on a potential agreement between Iran and global powers, Tehran would halt its nuclear activities for at least 10 years. According to these media reports, the number of active centrifuges in Iran during this agreement would be higher than the number desired by the U.S., but their enrichment capacity would be less than the current level, and if Iran adheres to its commitments in the first five years, the restrictions would gradually be lifted. The latest round of bilateral negotiations between Iran and the U.S. ended on Monday in Geneva, with both sides expressing a positive assessment, as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry stated that progress had been made. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also mentioned that the generalities of the agreement have been reached, with only details remaining. However, Mr. Kerry emphasized on Tuesday in the U.S. Congress that no agreement has yet been reached and that the U.S. will soon find out whether Iran is genuinely willing to reach an agreement. On Tuesday, Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, called on Iran and global powers to show their political will to reach a nuclear agreement. According to AFP, Ms. Mogherini stated, 'We cannot miss this opportunity. A good agreement is within our reach if the parties continue their cooperation and have the political will to achieve this agreement.' She then emphasized that 'a comprehensive agreement would benefit all parties.' The next round of negotiations between Iran and the 1+5 countries will be held next week in Geneva. The parties have stated that they aim to reach a political understanding by early Farvardin (March 21), after which they have until Tir 9 (July 1) to reach a comprehensive agreement.