‘Deal won’t see Iran bend to US will’ said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran will remain closed to US influence and continue to oppose US policies in the Middle East after its nuclear deal with big powers, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said yesterday, noting either country can still block the accord.

The 76-year-old cleric, Iran’s highest authority, has refrained from making decisive statements on the July 14 nuclear deal, but gave president Hassan Rouhani political cover to pursue talks with the six powers.

Tehran agreed to verifiable limits on its atomic energy programme to create confidence that it will not be put to developing nuclear weapons, in exchange for lifting international sanctions crippling its oil-based economy.