The Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, says the sanctions against the country must be lifted before Tehran fulfills its nuclear commitments.

Eslami speaking in Tehran on Tuesday insisted that the United States withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and hindered others from fulfilling their commitments. He asserted, "They must lift the sanctions so that we can fulfill our commitments." Eslami added that if a country has a proposal, the framework should be lifting the sanctions first.

In late November, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi stated that Iran was not fulfilling many aspects of its commitments under the JCPOA and the March 2023 agreement. Grossi highlighted that Iran had banned many inspectors working for the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency from visiting the country to perform their duties.

Addressing the issue of inspectors, Eslami claimed that Iran acts according to regulations and has the right to accept or reject inspectors. He further alleged that currently, Iran has accepted 120 inspectors, who are actively visiting various sites.

The public statements by Eslami follow a dispute between the Iranian regime and the IAEA over Tehran's opposition to the appointment of certain French and German inspectors. The E3 nations (Britain, France, and Germany) issued a statement accusing Iran of not adhering to its safeguards' obligations.

Since the US withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018, Iran has escalated its enrichment activities and stockpiled enough uranium for several nuclear bombs. The Biden administration has informally relaxed certain sanctions, but Tehran has not shown willingness to resolve the nuclear issue, despite diplomatic efforts.