Biden Tells Iran That Sanctions Will Remain Until Uranium Enrichment Ends

The nation of Iran has not been seeing eye to eye with the United States of of late, or, really, in any time during the last six decades.

The two nations have been bickering with each other since the 1950’s, when the US was covertly involved in a  revolution in the Persian nation.  Then, when Tehran was shaken by another changing of the guard in the 70’s, Iran went from a free-thinking, western-style culture to an Islamic Republic hellbent on religious rule and ultra-strict societal restrictions.  This further put Iran on an island in the world’s eyes, and the Middle Eastern nation soon began to lash out at the world around her.

The US tried unsuccessfully to engage with Tehran under the administration of Barack Obama, briefly collaborating on a nuclear deal that was doomed to fail from the start.  President Donald Trump understood this and rescinded America’s part of the bargain.

Now, with Joe Biden in charge, one would have thought that there could be an immediate reversal here, but No. 46 is being surprisingly tough with Tehran instead.

President Biden said the U.S. will not lift sanctions against Iran unless the country stops enriching uranium, continuing a standoff with the country’s supreme leader, who has demanded that sanctions be lifted before the country returns to its obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal.

“CBS Evening News” anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell spoke to Mr. Biden in his first network news interview since his inauguration. It will air in the 4 p.m. hour ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday.

“Will the U.S. lift sanctions first in order to get Iran back to the negotiating table?” O’Donnell asked.

“No,” Mr. Biden responded.

“They have to stop enriching uranium first?” O’Donnell asked.

Mr. Biden nodded affirmatively.

Fears of a nuclear Iran have been around for decades, particularly as the Persian nation continues to consistently threaten Israel – one of America’s most vital allies.