Price: US ready to return to JCPOA, committed to "Israel's" security
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US State Dept. Spokesperson says his country will continue to monitor China's level of support to Russia and that more financial and economic sanctions will be imposed on Moscow.
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US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price
US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price announced Monday that his country is ready to fully return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but Iran must take the first initiative.
In a press conference, Price made it clear that the US wants to have restrictions imposed on Iran's nuclear program, noting that it is not clear to Washington whether it is able to return to the nuclear agreement at the current stage.
Price reiterated his country's commitment to "Israel's" security and claimed that it is possible to counter all the destabilizing activities of the Islamic Revolution's Guard Corps (IRGC) in the region if the US allies cooperate with each other.
Price: US will remain in close contact with Israeli & Palestinian officials
Regarding the recent events in Al-Aqsa Mosque, Price expressed his concern over the "renewed violence in the Mosque," ​​calling for "restraint and cessation of provocative actions, preserving the status quo, and reducing tension."
He added that the US will remain in close contact with Israeli and Palestinian officials to reduce escalation and tension.
The US official urged all parties to maintain the status quo of the Mosque and to refrain from all provocative steps that fuel violence.
US will monitor China's level of support toward Russia
The United States will continue to carefully monitor the level of support China may show toward Russia with respect to Ukraine, the Spokesperson pointed out.
"We're going to continue to keep a careful eye, a careful watch on the level of support the PRC [People's Republic of China] exhibits towards Russia," he said.
He affirmed that there will be strong consequences for China if it provides weapons or supplies to Russia for its operation in Ukraine or if it helps Moscow evade Western sanctions.
China-Solomon Islands deal could lead to destabilization
A potential security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands could lead to the destabilization of the country and open the door for the deployment of Chinese forces there, Price considered.
"We believe that signing such an agreement could increase destabilization within the Solomon Islands and will set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific Island region," he said
The US has communicated with partners in the region on the matter, including Australia and New Zealand, which have expressed concerns about how the agreement would impact the regional security paradigm, he added.
More financial, economic sanctions will be imposed on Russia
Regarding the Russian military operation in Ukraine, Price claimed that what happened in the city of Bucha is a "premeditated crime".
The US State Department Spokesperson confirmed that Washington's diplomatic presence in Ukraine will be restored as soon as conditions improve, stressing that the absence of a diplomatic team did not impede direct US engagement with officials in Ukraine.
Price revealed the US has worked with 30 countries to impose unprecedented costs on the Russian economy and that there are many options available to hold Russia accountable.
He also claimed that Russia is not properly engaging in negotiations with Ukraine, stressing that more financial and economic sanctions will be imposed on Russia until it stops its campaign against Ukraine.
US ready to meet Pyongyang officials
On the situation in North Korea, the US Spokesperson noted that his country is monitoring the situation in the Korean Peninsula, warning of alleged provocations by North Korea.
Price said Washington is determined to protect itself and its allies, and its goal is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
He considered that the door remains open for diplomatic action, but North Korea must stop its destabilizing activities, declaring readiness to meet officials from Pyongyang without preconditions.
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
