Iran's supreme leader demands US action, not talk on nuclear deal
As the new administration tries to revive diplomacy with Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that "words and promises are no good."
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that his country wants action, not “talk and promises” from the United States as the new administration seeks to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal.
Khamenei’s comments come as Tehran is preparing to add yet another challenge to US efforts to revive the deal. In keeping with legislation passed by the hard-liner-dominated parliament in December, Iran will begin limiting snap inspections of its nuclear facilities if sanctions aren’t lifted by next week.
"We have heard many nice words and promises, which in practice have been broken and opposite actions have been taken. Words and promises are no good. This time [we want] only action from the other side and we will also act," Khamenei said in a speech.
If Iran returns to “strict” compliance, President Joe Biden has pledged to rejoin the landmark deal as a starting point for follow-on negotiations to address Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional activities.