Iranian official avoids confirming arrest of nuclear negotiator

Iranian social media has been buzzing about the news of the alleged arrest of Abdol Rasul Dori Esfahani, a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiation team. Conservative media outlets were the first to reveal the name after Tehran prosecutor said last week that a dual-national was arrested for spying for British Intelligence. However, no government official as of yet has confirmed the news.

When asked to confirm the arrest of a fellow nuclear negotiator Aug. 25, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi refused. “I have only heard rumors about this matter,” Araghchi said to Fars News on the sidelines of a conference regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which is known by the acronym BARJAM in Iran. He added, “The [appropriate] officials should respond and explain if a spy has been arrested.”

Araghchi continued, “We cannot judge based solely on rumors. The security institutions should give answers, and I am not in a position to confirm whether someone has been arrested or not.” He also rejected any responsibility on the part of the negotiation team, saying, “Finding a spy is not our duty. The security and judicial authorities must tend to this, and I hope they answer soon.”

Dori Esfahani was in charge of banking affairs during the nuclear talks, the one area of the nuclear deal where problems continue to persist. Araghchi blamed the United States for these remaining problems. “A high number of sanctions have been [eliminated],” Araghchi said. “But there are others where we have encountered problems and obstacles, for which the prime reasons are the bad pacts and discreditable [acts] of the West, especially America.” The criticism of the United States stems from the US banking sanctions unrelated to the nuclear deal that have created problems for many European investors who wish to invest in Iran.