Biden Administration Considers Lifting Sanctions on Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei

"Indirect Discussions on Restoring Nuclear Agreement at Austria Vienna Talks"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The US NBC network reported on the 26th (local time) that the Biden administration is considering lifting sanctions on Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This is interpreted as a willingness to partially accept Iran's claim that sanctions on Iran must be lifted before restoring the nuclear deal.

NBC cited multiple sources saying, "The US is indirectly discussing such a plan among negotiation representatives in the ongoing nuclear deal restoration talks in Vienna, Austria, to restore the nuclear deal (JCPOA) with Iran."

The Trump administration announced sanctions in 2019 against Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials related to the incident where the Iranian Revolutionary Guard shot down a US drone, including bans on entering the US and financial transactions with US companies. This was interpreted not as a measure aimed at practical economic sanctions but as a politically symbolic action directly targeting Khamenei, Iran's highest political authority.

However, NBC pointed out that while sanctions on Khamenei have political significance, President Biden could face criticism for appearing to yield to the opponent. The Republican Party and others might criticize lifting sanctions, arguing that the US should not show weakness toward Iran.

Previously, a close aide to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated to the media that the US had decided to lift sanctions on some of its senior officials. However, the US denied this at the time.

The nuclear deal was made in 2015 between Iran and the six countries including the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (the US, UK, France, Russia, China) and Germany, containing provisions to lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for limiting Iran's nuclear activities. In 2018, former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew and reinstated sanctions, but President Biden, who took office this year, has stated his intention to return to the agreement.