‘No’: Joe Biden digs in as Iran demands US lifts sanctions to return to nuclear deal
- Iran’s supreme leader spoke in favour of returning to 2015 nuclear deal – but only if all US sanctions were lifted
- But US President Joe Biden rules out such a move, suggesting a possible stalemate
US President Joe Biden has made clear he will not unilaterally lift sanctions against Iran, saying it must first adhere to its nuclear deal commitments despite demands on Sunday from the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader.
The exchange underscored the thorny diplomatic challenge ahead as Biden seeks to revive – without showing weakness – a key accord rejected by his predecessor Donald Trump.
Asked in a CBS interview airing Sunday whether he would halt sanctions to convince Iran to return to the bargaining table, Biden offered a clear reply: “No”.
The journalist then asked if the Iranians would first have to stop enriching uranium, which drew an affirmative nod from Biden.
The clip was part of a longer interview to be aired later Sunday on CBS.
The landmark deal was reached in 2015 by the United States and other powers (China, Russia, Germany, France and Britain) following long negotiations with Iran aimed at preventing it from developing nuclear weapons.