TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran’s supreme leader on Sunday urged the United States to lift all sanctions if it wants Iran to live up to commitments under its nuclear deal with world powers, state TV reported, but President Joe Biden says the U.S. won’t be making the first move.
“If (the U.S.) wants Iran to return to its commitments, it must lift all sanctions in practice, then we will do verification then we will return to our commitments,” state TV quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as saying, in his first comments on the matter since Biden took office.
Biden rejected the idea in a “CBS Evening News” interview taped Friday and airing Sunday.
He was asked if the US will lift sanctions first in order to get Iran back to the bargaining table.
“No,” Biden replied. He was then asked if Iran has to stop enriching uranium first. Biden nodded.