Tehran lays out N- deal red lines for world powers

Tehran, May 24: Following Washington’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, the Islamic republic’s supreme leader has laid out his country’s conditions for upholding its side of the landmark accord with world powers.

The following excerpts from an address by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Iranian officials, published on Thursday, outline Iran’s demands of Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany if the deal is to survive:

“The US withdrawal is a violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 ( establishing the nuclear deal). The Europeans need to table a resolution against the US to protest this action.”

“The heads of the three European nations must promise not to raise any objections to Iranian missiles or Iran’s presence in the region. Everyone should know that the Islamic Republic of Iran will never give up elements of its power, especially concerning questions of defence.”

The US has levied sanctions against Tehran for its ballistic missile programme and labels Iranian regional proxy groups such as Hezbollah as “terrorist” entities.

“If the US succeeds in disturbing Iranian oil

‘ The heads of the three European nations must promise not to raise any objections to Iranian missiles or Iran’s presence in the region. ‘ If the US succeeds in disturbing Iranian oil sales, the Europeans must promise to buy whatever quantity we wish to sell’.

sales, the Europeans must promise to buy whatever quantity we wish to sell.”

US President Donald Trump triggered fears for Iran’s economy earlier this month when he pulled his country from the 2015 deal.

World powers and signatories have since rallied around the accord, which imposed curbs on Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of punishing economic sanctions.

The prospect of new American sanctions on Tehran has already caused some European firms to indicate they will pull out of business ventures in Iran.

Mr Khamenei has said Iran could resume its uranium enrichment up to 20 percent should the deal collapse. The accord limits Tehran to enriching uranium to 3.67 percent, well short of weaponsgrade strength.