LBCI

Iran nuclear agreement unlikely without release of US prisoners - Malley-[REPORT]

Middle East

24-01-2022 | 02:28

Share

Share

Iran nuclear agreement unlikely without release of US prisoners - Malley-[REPORT]

LBCI

Watch now

More details about online video viewing packages

2^min

The United States is unlikely to strike an agreement with Iran to save the 2015 Iran nuclear deal unless Tehran releases four U.S. citizens Washington says it is holding hostage, the lead U.S. nuclear negotiator told Reuters on Sunday.

The official, U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley, repeated the long-held U.S. position that the issue of the four people held in Iran is separate from the nuclear negotiations. He moved a step closer, however, to saying that their release was a precondition for a nuclear agreement.

"They're separate and we're pursuing both of them. But I will say it is very hard for us to imagine getting back into the nuclear deal while four innocent Americans are being held hostage by Iran," Malley told Reuters in an interview.

"So even as we're conducting talks with Iran indirectly on the nuclear file we are conducting, again indirectly, discussions with them to ensure the release of our hostages," he said in Vienna, where talks are taking place on bringing Washington and Tehran back into full compliance with the deal.

In recent years, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on espionage and security-related charges.

Rights groups have accused Iran of taking prisoners to gain diplomatic leverage, while Western powers have long demanded that Tehran free their citizens, who they say are political prisoners.

Tehran denies holding people for political reasons.

REUTERS

To watch the full report, please click on the video above.

Breaking Headlines

News Bulletin Reports

Iran

Nuclear

Agreement

US

Prisoners

Malley

Tehran

Washington

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Israeli army strikes bridges in Lebanon, signals broader security campaign

News Bulletin Reports

2026-03-24

Israeli army strikes bridges in Lebanon, signals broader security campaign

Syria President says agreed with France to install ambassadors 'as soon as possible'

Middle East News

2026-07-07

Syria President says agreed with France to install ambassadors 'as soon as possible'

White House says Iran report on draft deal is 'complete fabrication'

2026-05-27

White House says Iran report on draft deal is 'complete fabrication'

Snow and heavy rain kill 61 in three days in Afghanistan: Authorities

2026-01-24

Snow and heavy rain kill 61 in three days in Afghanistan: Authorities

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

LBCI sources: Lebanon to hand former Syrian General Adel Issa to Syrian judiciary

1

LBCI sources: Lebanon to hand former Syrian General Adel Issa to Syrian judiciary

Rain in August? Sudden weather shift surprises Lebanon: Video

2

Rain in August? Sudden weather shift surprises Lebanon: Video

Walla: Israeli military strikes Ali al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon

3

Walla: Israeli military strikes Ali al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon

Wanted for war crimes: Why was retired Syrian Gen. Adel Issa detained in Beirut?

4

Wanted for war crimes: Why was retired Syrian Gen. Adel Issa detained in Beirut?

Diplomacy vs. escalation: Southern Lebanon enters a critical new phase

5

Diplomacy vs. escalation: Southern Lebanon enters a critical new phase

Human Rights Watch urges UN to maintain peacekeeping force in South Lebanon

6

Human Rights Watch urges UN to maintain peacekeeping force in South Lebanon

Etna eruption extends closure of Sicily's Catania airport until Saturday

7

Etna eruption extends closure of Sicily's Catania airport until Saturday

Waste crisis or new tax? Lebanon’s environmental fee raises questions

8

Waste crisis or new tax? Lebanon’s environmental fee raises questions

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More