About Iran's Nuclear: Disappointed By America's Sweet Promise, Khamenei Calls Out Barack Obama's Name

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Wikimedia Commons/Khamenei.ir)

JAKARTA - Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran could not trust the United States' promises regarding efforts to return to the 2015 joint nuclear deal (JCPOA).

He said Iran would return to the agreement if Washington fully realized the lifting of sanctions against Iran.

“We trust America during (former President Barack) Obama's period and fulfill our commitments. But they didn't. America said on paper the sanctions would be lifted. But apparently did not lift the sanctions", Khamenei said in a speech on state TV.

"Their promise has no credibility for us. On paper, they say the sanctions are lifted, but they tell any company that wants to sign a contract with us, this is dangerous and risky. They scare investors", said Khamenei.

Khamenei's strident remarks come as President Joe Biden's Administration is exploring ways to restore the 2015 nuclear deal that was signed by Iran along with the United States, European Union, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and China.

In this agreement, Iran was again disappointed by the attitude of the United States, following President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the deal and again impose sanctions on Iran in 2018. The decision to which Iran responded by restarting its uranium enrichment program.

"America must lift all sanctions. We will verify and if the sanctions are completely lifted, we will return to our obligations without any problems. We have a lot of patience and we are in no rush", said Khamenei.

Ali Khamenei who has the final say in matters of statehood said the Iranian government must act in the worst-case scenario, the sanctions will not be lifted immediately.

"You have to assume the sanctions will stay in place and plan the country's economy based on the sanctions", said Khamenei.

The United States and other Western powers that signed the 2015 deal appear to be at odds with Tehran over which side should return to the deal first. So it is unlikely that the US sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy can be quickly removed.