Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei renewed Iran's demand that all nuclear-related sanctions be removed on the same day that any final deal on Tehran's nuclear program is sealed between Iran and the major powers, who reached an understanding on the outline of the prospective deal on April 2 in the Swiss city of Lausanne.
He made the remarks in an address to a gathering of eulogists on Thursday, IRNA reported.
"The same day that the deal is signed should see the lifting of all sanctions," the Leader said, noting, "If the removal of sanctions is tied to another process, the point of the negotiations will be lost because they are mainly aimed at lifting sanctions."
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that Iran will not give access to its military sites as part of any inspection program to verify Tehran’s compliance with the nuclear pact.
“The outsiders must not be allowed to penetrate the country’s security and military premises under the excuse of inspections.”
He also underlined Iran’s support for “resistance groups” in the region and said it must not be compromised in the talks with the powers.
The Leader rejected any “extraordinary” manner in which the UN inspections may be conducted if a comprehensive deal is agreed, saying the inspections should be performed based on “conventional” methods.
Elsewhere, Ayatollah Khamenei underlined the need for the nuclear program to keep up with the latest technological and technical advances.
“The negotiating team might have to accept some restrictions. We have no word against it. However, technical expansion must continue strenuously.”
Nothing Binding Yet
On his view on the most recent round of negotiations, the Leader said, “I am neither against nor in favor of the (Lausanne) talks…, as according to the negotiators, no (important) work has been completed and no binding matter has been agreed on yet.”
“What has happened so far does not guarantee a (final) deal, its contents or even that the negotiations will lead to a deal.”
“Given the situation, there is no need to adopt a view.”
He voiced concern over the post-deal situation, since the western side is a “deal-breaker and backstabber”, noting it “may restrict our country, nation and negotiators” during the discussions to work out the details of the final accord.
Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated his skeptical attitude toward the United States’ motives, saying, “I have never been optimistic about negotiations with America, nevertheless, I offered my full support for the talks, and still support them.”
“I have faith in the negotiators… but I do have serious concerns about the talks,” He said, adding, “I support a deal that guarantees the honor of the Iranian nation.”
The Leader dismissed the claim that he has been overseeing the details of the negotiations, saying, “I am not neglectful of the talks, though I have not interfered in the details either and will never do so.”
Noting that decisions regarding the details rest with President Hassan Rouhani and the negotiating team, he said he has instructed them only on “general issues, main policies, frameworks and red lines.”
Ayatollah Khamenei called on officials to arrange for some debates to be held with the participation of critics of the negotiations, and demanded that their valid points be taken into consideration by the negotiators.
Bad Precedent
Elsewhere, The Leader pointed to the situation in Yemen, denouncing the Saudi aggression against the war-wracked country as a “mistake” and “bad precedent”.
“By attacking Yemen, the Saudis made a mistake and set a bad precedent in the region.”
Comparing the Saudi move to Israel’s attack on the Gaza strip, Ayatollah Khamenei predicted, “The Saudis will definitely suffer damage and loss and will never achieve victory,” just as what happened in the case of the Zionists.
Referring to the Saudi foreign policy record, the Leader said, “We have numerous differences with the Saudis on various political issues,” adding, “We used to say they showed dignity in their foreign policy, however, some rookies have taken control of the country, who have brought savageness to prominence over dignity.”
