Iran's supreme leader gives Europe list of demands to salvage nuclear deal

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's highest authority, delivered his most significant speech regarding the United States' withdrawal from the nuclear deal between Iran and the five members of the UN Security Council plus Germany.

In the May 23 speech, delivered two days after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made 12 demands of Iran, Khamenei presented his own list of conditions for Europe to meet if Iran is to stick with the nuclear deal, adding that otherwise Iran would resume its nuclear activities. The conditions include Europe issuing a condemnation of the United States for breaking the agreement, not raising the issue of Iran’s missile capabilities, opposing US sanctions against Iran and guaranteeing oil sales and banking transactions between Iran and Europe.

Khamenei’s speech was the top story for Iranian news agencies and newspapers May 24. Kayhan chose an excerpt from Khamenei’s speech as its headline: “We Have No Quarrels with Europe, [but] we don’t trust [them].” Javan's headline read, “The Nuclear Deal Only under This Condition.” The Line of Hezbollah, a publication that analyzes and publishes Khamenei’s speeches, led with “Real Guarantees …”

Iranian analyst Mohammad Hassan Ghadriabianeh said that according to Khamenei’s comments, it is not enough that the Europeans simply remain signatories to the nuclear deal, formally the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Since Iran has remained committed to its end of the agreement by restricting its nuclear capabilities, Europe must indemnify Iran against any potential US sanctions against it.