US delaying revival of 2015 deal, says Iran

TEHRAN, Aug 22 (Reuters): Iran accused the United States on Monday of "procrastinating" in indirect talks aimed at reinstating Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal, and said a prisoner swap with Washington was not linked to the negotiations.

After 16 months of fitful, indirect US-Iranian talks, with European Union officials shuttling between the sides, a senior EU official said on Aug. 8 it had laid down a "final" offer and expected a response within a "very, very few weeks."

Iran last week responded to the EU's text with "additional views and considerations", while calling on Washington to show flexibility to resolve three remaining issues. The United States last week said it was studying Iran's response.

"The Americans are procrastinating and there is inaction from the European sides...America and Europe need an agreement more than Iran," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani told a news conference.

Kanaani said Tehran wanted a sustainable deal that would preserve Tehran's legitimate rights".

"Until we agree on all issues, we cannot say that we have reached a complete agreement," he said.

Meanwhile, the United States has repeatedly called on Tehran to release several Iranian-Americans held in Iran on security charges. Iran has demanded several Iranians detained on charges linked to US sanctions to be freed.