Iran's supreme leader: U.S. 'devilish,' can't be trusted

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke out for the first time about the recent nuclear deal, saying he does not support or oppose any negotiations.

During a speech on Thursday, Khamenei called the U.S. “devilish” for posting a fact sheet that he said was at odds with what negotiators originally agreed upon and would not throw his support behind the deal until the details are sorted out.


“I neither support nor oppose it,” Khamenei said, according to Reuters. “Everything is in the details; it may be that the deceptive other side wants to restrict us in the details.”

“They always deceive and breach promises,” he said.

According to White House press secretary Josh Earnest, the United States and its international partners are at odds with Iran regarding sanctions relief. While Iran is hoping to see sanctions relief soon after or immediately after the country commits to the guidelines of the deal, the U.S. and five other world powers want sanctions to be phased out over time.

Also Thursday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded the sanctions be lifted “the same day” of an agreement. The Iranian political and military establishments have largely backed the negotiations.

Last Thursday, world leaders announced that they had reached a preliminary deal designed to contain Iran’s nuclear program. The deal involves restrictions on Iran’s uranium and plutonium and intense international inspections of nuclear sites.