Iran takes 'final' stance on nuclear deal, says US must lift sanctions before Tehran rejoins
(VOVWORLD) - Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Sunday that Tehran’s “final and irreversible” decision was to return to compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal only if Washington lifts sanctions on the Islamic Republic, Iranian state TV reported.
 A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on November 3, 2020 shows him speaking during a live televised speech. (AFP) |
The comment, as well as US President Joe Biden’s separate statement that the United States would not lift sanctions simply to get Iran back to the negotiating table, appeared to be posturing by both sides as they weigh whether and how to revive the pact.
The deal between Iran and six major powers limited Iran’s uranium enrichment activity to make it harder for Tehran to develop nuclear arms - an ambition Iran has long denied having - in return for the easing of US and other sanctions. But former US President Donald Trump abandoned the deal in 2018, denouncing it as one-sided in Iran’s favour, and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy.
While Iran has insisted the United States first drop its sanctions before it resumes compliance, Washington has demanded the reverse. In a segment of a CBS News interview broadcast Sunday, Biden said “no” when asked whether Washington would lift sanctions to get Tehran to the negotiating table.