"We are not insisting nor in a hurry for the US to return to the deal," Khamenei said in live televised remarks. "But what is logical is our demand, is the lifting of the sanctions. These brutal sanctions must be lifted immediately."
Tensions have grown between Tehran and Washington since 2018, when US President Donald Trump exited the deal between Iran and six world powers – which sought to limit Tehran's nuclear program and prevent it developing atomic weapons – and re-imposed sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy.
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In retaliation, Tehran started gradually violating the accord.
Potentially complicating efforts by US President-elect Joe Biden to rejoin the deal, Iran said on Monday it had resumed 20% uranium enrichment at its Fordo underground nuclear facility.
The UN nuclear watchdog confirmed that Iran had started the process of enriching uranium to 20% purity.
Tehran says it can quickly reverse its breaches if US sanctions are removed. Biden, who takes office on Jan. 20, has said the United States will rejoin the deal "if Iran resumes strict compliance" with the pact.
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