Khamenei: Average Iranian not benefiting from nuclear deal

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Monday that the Iranian people have not seen any benefit from the nuclear deal with world powers, state media report.

The report quotes Khamenei saying: “Weren’t the supposed sanctions lifted to change the life of the people? Is any tangible effect seen in people’s life after six months?”

He says the sanctions were supposed to be lifted swiftly. “But now the issue of a gradual lifting of the sanctions has been raised,” he says. “Why?”

Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, says the US has continued to thwart Iran’s economic relations with other countries despite the landmark accord. He says Tehran will refuse to engage in any further talks with Washington due to what he described as US violations of the deal, though he has previously ruled out further negotiations in other speeches.

— AP