Tehran: Just days ahead of June 30 deadline for Iran and six world powers to clinch a nuclear deal, the nation's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has raised concern over the “unacceptable” demands being posed by the West, calling them as “red lines”.
In what may dampen the hopes of a concrete nuke deal taking shape by June 30, Khamenei in a televised address asserted that the US must lift all sanctions on the “same day” the accord is signed.
“All economic, financial & banking sanctions, either by UNSC, US Congress or administration must be lifted on same day deal is signed,”Khamenei said.
He also voiced a strong objection to America's “excessive” demand of Iran freezing its nuclear work for a decade, accusing that the US intends to dismantle Tehran's nuclear industry completely.
“Freezing Iran's Research and Development (R&D) for a long time like 10 or 12 years is not acceptable.. Lifting sanctions must match Iran’s commitments,” Khamenei said.
Stressing that Iran must not compromise on its R&D and construction work for a long period of time, Khamenei underscored this as a major “red line”.
“Major red lines in Iran nuclear talks include accepting some restrictions, but not for 10 or 15 years.”
Another “red line” mentioned by Khamenei referred to the constant Western demand of Iran allowing access to its nuke site and facilities for inspection.
Ruling out any possibility of Iran giving the international agencies access to nucke facilities, Khamenei said, "Inspection of our military sites is out of the question and is one of our red lines".
Khamenei also voiced his lack of trust in UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying it was "neither independent, nor fair". IAEA too has complained that Iraq has not cooperated with it, denying it the access to key sites, equipment, documents and relevant people.
Khamenei's comments come just a day after Iran's Parliament passed a bill banning access for IAEA inspectors to its military sites and scientists.
West doubts that Iran is trying to manufacture nuke weapons covertly, however Iran maintains that it's nuclear industry is solely dedicated for peaceful purposes.
