Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, indicated today that it is necessary to ensure that the world powers fulfill their obligations under the nuclear agreement, while at the same time expressing "pessimism" regarding the intentions of the US, state media reported.
In his first public statements since international sanctions were lifted following a UN agency report that Iran had fully met its commitments to reduce its nuclear program, Khamenei said Tehran should "make sure that the other side implements its obligations."
The US and the European Union lifted sanctions on Tehran on Saturday under a nuclear deal reached six months ago and after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Tehran had met its obligations.
"The statements of some American politicians in recent days give reason for pessimism," Khamenei said, but did not specify who he was referring to.
This comment, the first since the agreement between Iran and world powers came into force this weekend, was contained in a letter sent today to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Khamenei said Iran paid a high price for concluding the deal. Khamenei has previously praised Iran's negotiations with world powers, but continued to express a deep distrust of the US.
A day after the lifting of sanctions, US President Barack Obama announced the introduction of sanctions against 11 legal entities and individuals due to Iran's ballistic tests in October and promised to oppose Iran's destabilizing behavior in the Middle East.
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