Iran's Khamenei says no deal if anti-Iran bans hold

Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 3 By Fatih Karimov – Trend: Iran's Supreme Leader says the sanctions imposed on Iran must be removed completely. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran held nuclear talks with the P5+1 countries for the removal of sanctions against Tehran, and that there would be no deal between the two sides if the bans remain in place, Press TV reported. He said if the western countries want to suspend the sanctions, Iran will suspend its activities. "We negotiated to eliminate the sanctions, not suspend them." On July 14, the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany) and Iran announced an agreement that could result in relief from United States and European Union nuclear-related sanctions (which include some oil-related sanctions) by the end of current year. Iran can construct 50,000 to 60,000 centrifuges in short term and continue enriching uranium at 20-percent level and accelerate nuclear research activities, but we compromised instead for sanctions elimination. He also said that he has neither a positive nor negative opinion about nuclear deal. In a meeting with officials of Iran’s Assembly of Experts on Thursday, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Islamic Republic entered the negotiations with the six world powers to secure the lifting of all sanctions against the country. The Leader slammed the statements by some US officials on maintaining the restrictive measures against Iran, saying there would be no point in Tehran’s nuclear negotiations with the P5+1 states – the US, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany – should the sanctions against the country remain in place. Supreme Leader also said he favored a parliamentary vote on its nuclear deal. "Lawmakers should not be sidelined on the nuclear agreement. This doesn't mean that Parliament should approve or reject the deal. It is their decision to back or oppose," he said. Alongside Iranian Parliament, the U.S. Congress is also preparing to vote the nuclear deal. Although the majority of Democrats and the Obama administration favor the deal, Republicans who dominate both the Senate and the House of Representatives are strongly against it. Stay up to date with latest Iran news on our specialized Facebook page Follow us on Twitter @TRENDNewsAgency