Tehran Imam Says Nuclear Negotiators Should Reject US 'Excessive Demands'

The Friday Prayer Imam in Tehran has said that Iran’s nuclear negotiators should stand up to “America’s excessive demands” in the upcoming new round of talks.

Friday Prayer Imams receive instructions from a central office under the supervision of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and often highlight issues that the Islamic Republic’s top leadership wants to send as a message to Iranians or foreign countries.

Haj Ali Akbari, who delivered the main sermon on Friday also urged Iran’s negotiators to ignore “excuses” by the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA.

The IAEA, which conducts monitoring of Iran’s nuclear installations, issued reports this week criticizing Tehran’s lack of cooperation, days before the agency’s Board of Governors is scheduled to meet.

France on Thursday urged the IAEA board to send a “strong message” to Iran, which could mean a formal censure for its lack of cooperation.

Iran has recently hardened its position demanding that the United States lift all sanctions at once and time for the verification before Tehran makes any moves to return to the 2015 nuclear agreement known as JCPOA.