President-elect Raeesi: "No plans to meet Biden... US sanctions must be lifted first"

"Iran Does Not Trust the US for Breaking the Nuclear Deal First"
"Biden Administration Also Fails to Fulfill Nuclear Deal Obligations"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Ebrahim Raisi, the president-elect of Iran, stated that he has no intention of engaging in dialogue with President Joe Biden and emphasized that the United States, which first broke the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), must lift sanctions first. He also drew a clear line by saying that Iran's missile program is not a subject for negotiation with the U.S., raising concerns that future nuclear deal talks will face significant difficulties.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 21st (local time), Raisi, during his first press conference with domestic and international media after the election, was asked if he intended to meet and talk with U.S. President Biden. He replied, "I have no intention of meeting and talking with him," adding, "Iran does not trust the U.S. because it was the U.S. that first broke the nuclear deal. The Biden administration has also failed to fulfill its obligations under the nuclear deal."

Raisi emphasized, "The U.S. must demonstrate honesty and goodwill by lifting sanctions first," and added, "The Iranian delegation participating in the Vienna talks will carefully review this." He further drew a line by stating, "Iran's missile program and issues related to the Middle East are not subjects for negotiation with the U.S."

Following the remarks of Raisi, who is set to take office in early August succeeding reformist leader President Hassan Rouhani, significant difficulties are expected in future Iran nuclear deal negotiations. The talks to restore the Iran nuclear deal, which have been held in Vienna, the capital of Austria, since April, have been temporarily suspended following his election.