Raisi Challenges US at UN: Revive Nuclear Deal or Prove Bad Faith

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi called on the United States to demonstrate its goodwill and determination to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal during his speech at the UN General Assembly. Raisi highlighted that by exiting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the US violated the agreement and the principle of good faith. Former President Donald Trump reneged on the deal in 2018, leading to the restoration of harsh US sanctions on Iran.

Since taking office, President Joe Biden has attempted to negotiate a revival of the nuclear pact. However, months of talks have stalled with both sides accusing each other of demanding excessive concessions. Raisi emphasized that the US must build trust to prove its good intentions and commitment to fulfilling its obligations. To ease tensions, a Qatar-mediated deal was reached last month, resulting in the exchange of detainees between Tehran and Washington and the release of $6 billion of Iran's funds in South Korea.

In addition to the nuclear issue, strained ties between the US and Iran have been further exacerbated by Western sanctions imposed on Iran over its handling of protests following the death of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini. During Raisi's speech, Israel's envoy to the UN, Gilad Erdan, left the General Assembly hall while waving Amini's picture to express Israel's support for the Iranian people. Tensions between Iran and Israel have persisted for decades with allegations of sabotage and assassination plots.