Iran asks for actions not words from nuclear deal partners

US President Jo Biden says Washington will return to nuclear pact if Tehran resumes full compliance

A handout picture made available by Iran's supreme leader office shows people from eastern Azerbaijan listening to Ayatollah Khamenei via video conference in Tehran, Iran, 17 February 2021. EPA

Iran’s supreme leader said on Wednesday he wants to see actions by the other partners in the 2015 nuclear deal.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke as the US called for Tehran's recommitment to the pact before it can reverse the Trump administration's decision to abandon the deal.

"We have heard many nice words and promises, which in practice have been broken and opposite actions have been taken. Words and promises are no good. This time [we want] only action from the other side," Mr Khamenei said.

“If we see action from the other party, we will follow suit,” state news agency Irna quoted him as saying.

Mr Biden said Washington will return to the deal  abandoned by his predecessor Donald Trump in 2018 if Tehran first resumes full compliance. But with mutual mistrust running deep, Tehran says Washington must act first.

Under the deal, sanctions were lifted in return for Iran agreeing curbs to its nuclear programme. Since Mr Trump ditched the deal and reimposed sanctions, Tehran has gradually breached the terms of the deal.

Tehran says its nuclear steps are reversible if Washington lifts the sanctions.

During a Cabinet session, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said his country was not after hidden nuclear activity.

"Iran is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty," he said on Wednesday.

"Tehran has a safeguard agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the country has implemented the agreement; therefore, [Iran] is determined not to pursue a concealed nuclear activity."

Mr Rouhani said European powers should be aware that Iran will not accept any talks on its missile power and its regional influence.

“If Tehran had accepted such demands, Trump would have returned to the [deal],” he said.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif reiterated his government's position on halting its voluntary measures under an additional protocol of the agreement as of February 23.

The protocol grants the International Atomic Energy Agency further inspection authority to that provided in Iran’s Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the nuclear watchdog.

Voluntary discharge of the additional protocol will halt, but inspections by the IAEA continue, Mr Zarif said.

“When the window closes, Iran will enrich further uranium and promote nuclear development,” he said.