Iran has no need for the nuclear deal it signed in 2015, and the Iranian government is indifferent to US sanctions, commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami declared Tuesday.
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Salami's comments were the first direct response to a report by Politico that the Biden administration was considering mitigating some sanctions if Iran stepped back from 20% enrichment of uranium.
Speaking at a ceremony for fallen Guards fighters, Salami said, "We are indifferent to the United States' sanctions and we certainly do not need the nuclear deal. We have chosen the path of sovereignty to make our country stronger."
Salami continued, "Sanctions come at a cost, but their influence on our economy is quickly waning. Our country is becoming more independent in many fields, and the enemy knows that its sanctions are becoming less effective each day."
Meanwhile, Iranian state TV on Tuesday quoted an unnamed government official saying that Iran would stop enriching uranium to 20% only when the US lifted all sanctions."
"The official said Tehran will further reduce its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal if the US does not lift all sanctions, warning that Washington is rapidly running out of time," the television station's website reported.
Separately, Iran's United Nations mission tweeted: "No proposal is needed for the US to rejoin the JCPOA (nuclear agreement). It only requires a political decision by the US to fully and immediately implement all of its obligations under the accord..."
Asked if it still planned to submit a proposal to bring Iran back to the table, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Tuesday that, "we remain committed to pursuing a diplomatic process to determine a way forward; sometimes that takes some time."
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