Iran's latest reply on a nuclear deal is a step backwards, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday, insisting Washington would not rush to rejoin at any cost.
European mediators last month appeared to make progress in restoring the 2015 accord as Iran largely agreed to a proposed final text.
But optimism dimmed when the United States sent a reply, to which Iran in turn responded.
"In past weeks, we've closed some gaps. Iran has moved away from some extraneous demands ― demands unrelated to the JCPOA itself," Mr Blinken told reporters, referring to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
"However, the latest response takes us backwards. And we're not about to agree to a deal that doesn't meet our bottom-line requirements," he said.
"If we conclude a deal, it's only because it will advance our national security."
President Joe Biden supports restoring the agreement, under which Iran will enjoy sanctions relief and again be able to sell its oil worldwide in return for tough restrictions on its nuclear programme.
Mr Biden's predecessor Donald Trump trashed the agreement and instead imposed sweeping new sanctions.
Diplomats say Iran has dropped a demand that Mr Biden lift Mr Trump's designation of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group, a key sticking point.
But disputes include Iran's insistence that the UN nuclear watchdog close an invesitgation into three undeclared sites suspected in previous nuclear work.
While in Brussels, Mr Blinken met virtually with his counterparts from Britain, France and Germany, which remain in the accord.
Rashid & Rajab
Director: Mohammed Saeed Harib
Stars: Shadi Alfons, Marwan Abdullah, Doaa Mostafa Ragab
Two stars out of five
RESULTS
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Winner: Najem Al Rwasi, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Fandim, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
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3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Wakeel W’Rsan, Richard Mullen, Jaci Wickham
4pm: Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs
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If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.
The car
Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
Parks and accommodation
For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.
