SAEDNEWS: In a candid interview, former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken admitted Iran had fully complied with the 2015 nuclear agreement before the Trump administration’s withdrawal, emphasizing that military action cannot resolve the nuclear standoff.
According to Saed News, former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly acknowledged this week that Iran had adhered to its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) prior to Washington’s unilateral exit in 2018. Speaking on CNN’s podcast hosted by Christiane Amanpour, Blinken stressed that both U.S. intelligence and international inspectors had verified Tehran’s compliance, framing renewed diplomacy as the only viable path forward.
“Iran was honoring its commitments under the deal—not only confirmed by international inspectors but also by our own intelligence sources,” Blinken affirmed, while cautioning that military solutions would not produce a lasting resolution. He described Iran’s current nuclear infrastructure as being more deeply fortified than ever, warning that any military strike would face unprecedented challenges.
The interview comes in the wake of a 12-day Iran-Israel conflict sparked by what Tehran characterized as unprovoked Israeli attacks on its territory. The United States entered the fray after ten days, targeting nuclear sites previously bombarded by Israel. A ceasefire was brokered through Qatari mediation after Iran retaliated with missile strikes on a key U.S. base in West Asia.
Blinken’s remarks also shed light on long-standing Israeli opposition to the JCPOA, notably under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Israel was never a fan of the deal,” Blinken noted, adding that Iran’s nuclear program has become an emblem of national pride rooted in decades of investment.
Despite sustained provocations, Iranian officials maintain that their suspension of certain JCPOA obligations is a direct response to repeated Western violations. In the wake of the recent conflict, Iran’s Parliament passed legislation curbing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), though Tehran emphasized its continued adherence to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Under a revised framework now overseen by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, future nuclear cooperation will be tightly managed, signaling Tehran’s intent to safeguard its peaceful nuclear program while maintaining leverage in ongoing diplomatic efforts.
