US imposes 'new conditions' on nuclear talks: Iran

 Iran says the United States is imposing new conditions on ongoing talks to restore the 2015 nuclear deal.

According to Arab News, Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdullahian said on Sunday that he was "interested" in proposing and imposing new conditions outside the (US) talks on lifting sanctions.

He added that in the last two or three weeks, the United States has made excessive demands that contradict some paragraphs in the text of the agreement.

Iran has been holding direct talks with France, Germany, B

ritain, Russia and China in Vienna for the past year, while also holding indirect talks with the United States.

According to Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdullahian, the Americans keep talking about the need for direct talks but we did not see the benefit of direct talks with the United States.

"We want the sanctions to be lifted, but it must be done in a dignified manner in the event of a lasting agreement," he said.

He said Iran stood by its principles and would continue to do so.

His remarks on the nuclear deal came after a statement from President Ibrahim Raisi.

On Saturday, President Ibrahim Raisi addressed a ceremony marking Iran's Atomic Energy Day, saying Tehran would not relinquish its right to develop its nuclear industry for peaceful purposes.

He said that all parties involved in the negotiations for the restoration of the 2015 nuclear deal should respect it.

Reiterating his commitment to continue nuclear activities, President Ibrahim Raisi said his government supports the promotion of research on peaceful nuclear technology.

"We will not back down from the nuclear rights of the Iranian people," he said.

Four years ago, on the orders of former US President Donald Trump, Washington withdrew from the nuclear deal and further sanctions were imposed on Iran. During this time, Iran was able to expand its nuclear activities.

Iran has always claimed that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.