Iran fails to endorse nuclear agreement

Iran’s top leader yesterday stopped short of giving his endorsement to the framework nuclear deal struck last week between Tehran and world powers, while the country’s president warned separately that Tehran’s approval of a final deal depends on the immediate lifting of all sanctions related to its controversial nuclear programme.

The comments, taken together, could represent simply a tough bargaining stance by the Islamic Republic ahead of the next round of negotiations in the countdown to the final deal expected by June 30. But president Hassan Rouhani’s demand of an immediate and full sanctions relief is likely to complicate efforts.

“We will not sign any agreement, unless all economic sanctions are totally lifted on the first day of the implementation of the deal,” Rouhani said during a ceremony marking Iran’s nuclear technology day, which celebrates the country’s nuclear achievements.