Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rebuked those advocating that Iran look only to the East in response to the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal. He asserted instead that Iran must expand its ties more broadly.

In a July 15 meeting with members of President Hassan Rouhani's administration, Khamenei said, “With the exception of a few instances, such as America, the country’s relations with East and West must be strengthened, and targeted diplomacy must be increased.”

As a result of the US reneging on the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — signed by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany — and the European's inability to stave off US sanctions and protect European business ties with Tehran, a number of Iranian officials have advocated looking eastward, in particular toward Russia and China, to offset the loss of business with Europe. Khamenei’s latest comments on the matter seem to reject that idea, representing a big win for Rouhani, who since the signing of the nuclear deal has sought to expand political and economic relations with Western Europe.

On the issue of expanding ties and diplomacy, Khamenei continued, “Showing strength versus foreigners, particularly America, is necessary and must be timely, direct and firm.” He added, “Of course, the European side is responsible for giving guarantees regarding the nuclear deal, but the issue of the economy of the country must not be tied to this.”