IRAN CALLS ON U.S. TO REMOVE SANCTIONS.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that Tehran’s “final and irreversible” decision was to return to compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal only if Washington lifts sanctions on the Islamic republic, Iranian state TV reported.

The comment, as well as u.s. President Joe biden’s separate statement that the united States would not lift sanctions simply to get Iran back to the negotiating table, appeared to be posturing by both sides.

The deal between Iran and six major powers limited Iran’s uranium enrichment activity to make it harder for Tehran to develop nuclear arms in return for the easing of u.s. and other sanctions.

but former u.s. President donald Trump abandoned the deal in 2018, denouncing it as one-sided in Iran’s favour, and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy.