The Revolutionary Guards: Iran does not need the nuclear deal .. Zarif calls on America to take the difficult decision and abandon the sanctions

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif today called on the United States to take the difficult decision to abandon illegal sanctions on Iran, adding that the administration of US President Joe Biden is still following in the footsteps of former President Donald Trump.

While the Iranian Revolutionary Guard said that Tehran does not need the nuclear deal, Washington plans to put forward a proposal to start talks with Tehran over its nuclear file.

The Iranian foreign minister added that "the time has come for America to get rid of bad habits in politics, and that this only happens with a difficult decision," considering that President Biden is still following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Trump, when he clings to illegal sanctions and uses them as influence.

Minister Zarif described America's call to his country to abide by the nuclear agreement concluded in 2015, from which Washington withdrew, as "an unfortunate and reprehensible irony."

Accused of procrastinating

In a related context, Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said that Washington's delay in lifting sanctions reduces the chances of reviving the nuclear deal.

Rabiei added in a press conference that returning to the agreement and lifting sanctions is the only and most appropriate solution to settle disputes, as he put it.

Iran's representative to the United Nations, Majid Takht Rawanji, said that Washington's return to the nuclear agreement needs a clear political decision, not new proposals, after news of an American plan that would ask Iran to stop some of its nuclear activities in exchange for an easing of economic sanctions.

The Iranian delegate emphasized that Washington should abide by the terms of the agreement and implement its obligations, and this is the best proposal.

Revolutionary Guards

In a remarkable statement, the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Major General Hossein Salami, said that his country does not attach importance to sanctions, and does not need the nuclear agreement.

Major General Salami added that if the United States lifted the sanctions, this would be an achievement for his country, and in the event that they were not lifted, Iran would win because the sanctions have become ineffective, as he put it.

The Commander of the Revolutionary Guard also affirmed his country's ability to achieve self-sufficiency, preserve its independence and increase its strength.

Politico had revealed an American proposal - details of which are still being worked out - that would ask Iran to stop some of its nuclear activities, such as working on advanced centrifuges, and enriching uranium with a purity of 20% in exchange for the easing of US economic sanctions.

And "Politico" reported that US and Iranian officials are aware that in the absence of a breakthrough in the next few weeks, it is unlikely that any progress will be achieved until next September at the earliest.

The Biden administration seeks to revive the nuclear agreement, but insists that Iran return first to the agreement with its obligations stipulated in it (European)

Mutual return

A senior Biden administration official declined to comment on this proposal, explaining Washington's willingness to reciprocate the nuclear deal.

He added that his country is also open to talking with international partners about the best way for this return, including taking a series of initial and reciprocal steps.

Iranian Press TV quoted a senior Iranian official as asserting that Tehran will not stop uranium enrichment by 20% until all US sanctions are lifted.

The Iranian official said that 20% enrichment is in line with Article 36 of the nuclear agreement.

Former US President Trump withdrew from the nuclear agreement in 2018, re-imposing sanctions on Iran and tightening them as part of his policy of exerting maximum pressure on Tehran to conclude a new agreement that addresses its nuclear file, its missile program and its foreign policy towards the countries of the region.

Iran responded to the US withdrawal - after waiting for more than a year - by violating some of the terms of the agreement, including restricting uranium enrichment at 3.67%.

Officials say the chances of progress in returning to the deal before Iran's June presidential elections have diminished since Iran chose to take a more hard-line approach before returning to talks.