The US is still determined to reopen the Jerusalem consulate for the Palestinians and is still in dialogue with Israel about it, contrary to many reports, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland told Maariv.
She explained that, as clarified by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, reopening the consulate is seen as a priority for the Biden administration. This, she explained, would be a return to the longtime status quo, until former US president Donald Trump had closed the consulate down.
The Israeli government has been vocal in its opposition to reopening the consulate, as have some members of the opposition.
Nuland also spoke about the Iran nuclear deal talks in Vienna, something that also has Israel on edge.
The US, under Trump, pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2017, something Israel supported. However, many in Israel fear the Biden administration will reenter the 2015 nuclear deal.
"I think you know that we want to get back into the JCPOA. That’s what we are focused around. And I believe it’s the best solution for global security," Nuland told Maariv.
"Time is running out to get them back into this deal but that’s what we are continuing to work on in Vienna. And I’d say that the quality of the dialog with Israel on this subject... is very strong and very open. I think it’s about as good as ever we’ve seen it."
Talks in Vienna are ongoing, but will take a pause for a few days, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani announced earlier Friday.