DUBAI (UAE) – The outcome of the US elections will not have an impact on Tehran’s policy towards Washington, said Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday.
“Our policy towards the United States is clearly set and does not change with the movement of individuals. It does not matter to us who comes and goes,” he said in a televised address.
The supreme leader was speaking on the anniversary of the seizure of the US embassy in 1979, coinciding with the birthday of Islam’s Prophet Mohammad.
“The students’ attack on this den of spies was quite appropriate and wise,” he said, referring to radical Islamist students who stormed the embassy building, taking hostage 52 staff and keeping them in custody for 444 days. Ever since that incident, there have no diplomatic ties between both countries.
Rallies and other events marking the embassy storming were banned because of the pandemic spread as it has claimed about 36,000 lives in the country, making it the worst-hit nation in the Middle East.
Democratic contender Joe Biden has vowed to rejoin Iran’s 2015 nuclear agreement with six powers if Tehran agrees to return to compliance with it.
The deal was abandoned by President Donald Trump two years ago. As per the deal, international financial sanctions on Iran were lifted in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. Tehran retaliated by reducing its compliance.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday that he wants the US to rejoin the pact, but that “re-engagement does not mean renegotiation” because “if we wanted to do that [renegotiate], we would have done it with President (Donald) Trump four years ago.”
He said “the statements by the Biden camp have been more promising, but we will have to wait and see”.
On the other hand, Trump wants to have a broader agreement that would also address Iran’s nuclear missile programme and regional activities.