The United States cannot be trusted to lift sanctions once a nuclear deal is reached with Iran, the country's supreme leader said Wednesday.
Instead, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei suggested that Tehran should build an "economy of resistance," because even if Iran agrees to curb its uranium enrichment, he believes the U.S. will only make additional demands, reported The Associated Press.
The supreme leader makes final decisions on all issues relating to national security in the country, including the nuclear program.
"The Americans are impudently saying that even if Iran backs down on the nuclear issue, all the sanctions will not be lifted at once," Khamenei said to visitors at his Tehran home, as reported by state TV. "They are saying that clearly. It shows that this enemy cannot be trusted.
"Officials should not pin hopes on foreigners and should know that one step in retreat prompts the enemy to advance. You should take the instrument of sanctions out of the enemy's hands. If you pin hopes on the enemy, sanctions will remain in place."
Khamenei said the impact of sanctions would be less painful if Iran develops an "economy of resistance," by boosting local production of strategic goods and reducing its reliance on oil exports, the AP reported.
The comments come as Iran and six world powers prepare to begin a new round of talks later this month in Geneva. The world powers - the U.S., Britain, China, Russia, France and Germany - have extended their self-imposed final agreement deadline to June 30.
Despite Khamenei's skepticism of western intentions, he has approved of President Hassan Rouhani's continued pursuit of a diplomatic solution to the decade-long debate over Iran's nuclear program.
World powers have long suspected its program is aimed at developing nuclear weapons, but Iran adamantly denies such accusations.
Both Rouhani and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry have said they are confident an agreement will soon be reached.
