Sanctions must be removed first; then we’ll carry out our commitments :Ayatollah Khamenei

As is customary every year, the Qur’anic Recitation Ceremony, which is held on the first day of the month of Ramadan, was held in the presence of the Leader of the Revolution. It was broadcast live on radio and television channels as well as on the official social media accounts of KHAMENEI.IR. Due to the health guidelines issued by the National Committee on Combating Coronavirus, which restrict public gatherings, this ceremony was held by way of the videoconference with a number of outstanding reciters of the Holy Qur’an in attendance in the Imam Khomeini Musallah. In this ceremony, Imam Khamenei emphasized that the other parties have not fulfilled their promises dozens of times and they have acted against them. That is why they must first do what the Islamic Republic says, “First the sanctions must be removed, then Iran will carry out its commitments in the JCPOA.”

At the Ramadan Qur’anic Recitation Ceremony held this Wednesday, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated, “We have already announced the country’s policy. First, the sanctions should be removed, because we do not feel confident about their promises. They have broken their promises tens of times, and they have even acted exactly opposite to their promises. They will do the same now too. Therefore, they should do what we say first, and we must be certain that they have done so. After that, we will fulfill our obligations.”

Imam Khamenei added, “I have discussed the country’s policy with officials both in public and private meetings and also in writing. It is clear what the country’s policy is and what officials should do. Now, they have decided to negotiate in order to implement this same policy. I have no problem with this, but they should be careful not to let negotiations become too draining or allow the other side to lengthen the negotiations too much, because this is detrimental to the country.”

His Eminence said, “When the Americans continuously speak of their willingness to negotiate directly with Iran, they do not intend to negotiate in order to accept the truth. Rather, their purpose in negotiating is to impose their false claims. This is what they always do. They do not want to listen to and accept the truth. In some of the European’s private meetings with our officials – whose reports we have received – they acknowledge that Iran is right about its policy that the sanctions should be removed first. This is because we are not sure about their promises since they have already broken their promises tens of times and acted exactly opposite to what they have said. They will do the same now too. Therefore, they should first do what we say, and we must be certain that they have done so. Then we will carry out our obligations.”

He continued on to say, “Sometimes the European negotiators confirm in private meetings that what Iran says is correct, and that the Iranians are right. But when it comes to decision-making, they follow them (the US). They are not truly independent in any way. As for the Americans, they have an aggressive attitude. They try to impose their demands. This is the issue.”

Imam Khamenei reminded, “In addition, the proposals that they put forward are usually so arrogant and degrading that they are not even worth looking at. We are hopeful that with God’s grace, the officials of the country will move forward on this matter with their eyes fully open, with a firm heart and with reliance on God. I hope that God will bestow His blessings on them so that they will make the nation happy.”

Elsewhere in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated, “The Qur’an itself does not step aside in any way when it comes to political-social challenges. And it does not refrain from confronting the Taghut (domineering, evil powers), the arrogant, the wasteful and the oppressors. It has always stood up to them.”

Imam Khamenei also added, “The Qur’an’s guidance is not particular to a limited area in humanity’s life. Qur’anic guidance covers all areas of human life. It is not the case that the Qur’an guides people in one area but leaves them alone in another essential area. No, the Qur’an deals with all aspects and corners of humanity’s life.”

In another part of his statements, His Eminence considered praising the work done by all the medical groups in the country to be important, especially during the Corona pandemic, “It is truly necessary for people to praise and thank the medical personnel working in the country.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution added, “The next point is about the people’s charity work. Well, the month of Ramadan is the month of good deeds. This has always been the case. Even in normal times in the month of Ramadan, generous people and believers offer their food and help to the needy. However, during the Corona pandemic, this issue becomes increasingly important. It is necessary for the people’s movement of offering pious help and providing relief to increase even more in the month of Ramadan.”

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