TEHRAN, Oct. 21 (UPI) — Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei approved of the U.S.-led nuclear agreement on Wednesday, but offered sharp criticism of the Western power.
Khamenei, who has final authority on all policy matters in Iran, previously declined endorsing or opposing the nuclear agreement, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Khamenei endorsed the deal in a letter sent to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, but warned against “ambiguities” that could “bring huge damages” to Iran.
“Neither in nuclear issue, nor in any other cases, has U.S. taken any position except hostility & trouble; any change in future is unlikely,” Khamenei wrote on his official Twitter account, adding that “removal of sanctions is necessary.”
Iran’s supreme leader has repeatedly condemned the United States, which he recently referred to as the “Great Satan.” Last week, Khamenei warned against further “forbidden” negotiations with the United States on topics other than the recent nuclear agreement.
“U.S. deceptive involvement in nuclear talks has been intended to advance their hostile policies towards Iran,” Khamenei wrote. “Throughout the eight-year term, imposition of any sanctions at any level & under any pretext will be violation of JCPOA.”
The implementation of JCPOA began on Sunday — known as “Adoption Day”
“Today, Iran begins to take the steps necessary to implement its JCPOA commitments, including removing thousands of centrifuges and associated infrastructure, reducing its enriched uranium stockpile from approximately 12,000 kilograms to 300 kilograms, and removing the core of the Arak heavy-water reactor and filling it with concrete so that it cannot be used again, among other steps,” the statement read.
