Washington Warns Tehran: The Nuclear Deal or Escalation!

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland announced that “Iran's return to the agreement would allow it to restore its oil to global markets and help alleviate some sanctions.” Nuland told CNN during her participation in the Aspen Security Forum on Friday that “the proposed deal would return their oil to the market and help ease some of the sanctions imposed on them. But so far, they have not chosen to go down this path.” She added that “the decision is up to Iran, and ultimately it is up to the leader, Ali Khamenei, to approve the proposed deal.” Nuland emphasized that “if Khamenei does not accept the deal, we will have to increase pressure, of course,” without elaborating on the steps the United States might take.