Iran’s Rouhani hopes Biden will return to Obama-era nuclear deal as he dubs Trump a ‘tyrant’
CNNCNN — Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has called on United States President-elect, Joe Biden, to return to the 2015 nuclear deal and lift sanctions imposed on Tehran by Donald Trump’s administration. Speaking at a televised cabinet meeting Wednesday, Rouhani said the ball was “in the US court now.” “If Washington returns to Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal, we will also fully respect our commitments under the pact,” he said, adding in reference to Trump that “a tyrant’s era came to an end and today is the final day of his ominous reign.” Tensions between the two countries ratcheted up during Trump’s time in office, appearing to almost reach breaking point after the US assassinated Iranian general Qasem Soleimani last January. Since Washington walked away, however, Iran has increased uranium enrichment beyond the limits set by the deal, sparking concern that Tehran could in the future pursue a nuclear weapons program. “If Iran returns to strict compliance with the nuclear deal, the United States would rejoin the agreement as a starting point for follow-on negotiations.” Despite this, some had feared that developments in the final months of the Trump administration could bind Biden’s hands, as both the US and Israel increased pressure on Iran, potentially undermining future diplomatic entreaties.