Special to WorldTribune.com

Iran will only partially comply with the nuclear arrangement with world powers unless all sanctions are lifted, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said.

Khamenei, speaking to a group of clerics, said some U.S. officials had spoken of the “suspension” of sanctions and he insisted “there will be no deal” if the sanctions are not fully lifted.

The supreme leader said he believes Iran’s parliament (majlis) should make up its own mind about the P5+1 deal with world powers, but experts see that as only lip service as Khamenei has the last say in all matters of Iranian policy.

“I believe… that it is not in the interest of the majlis to be sidelined,” Khamenei said. “I have no recommendation for the majlis on how it should examine it; it is up to the representatives of the nation to decide whether to reject or ratify it.”

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, a powerful committee headed by President Hassan Rowhani, which reports to Khamenei, has formal oversight over the deal.

In his speech to the group of clerics, Khamenei noted that some “American officials speak very badly” of the agreement, without identifying anyone by name.

On Sept. 2, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Iran will be required to live up to the agreement in full before its starts benefiting from sanctions relief.

“If the framework of sanctions are to be maintained, then why did we negotiate?” Khamenei asked.

Iran’s parliament and the U.S. Congress need to vote on the agreement before it can be implemented.

Most U.S. lawmakers oppose the deal but President Barack Obama has enough Democratic supporters in the Senate to uphold his promised veto of any congressional resolution disapproving of the deal.

  Hassan Rowhani, Iran’s Khamenei threatens only partial compliance with nuclear deal unless sanctions fully lifted, John Kerry, majlis, P5+1 nuclear deal, WorldTribune.com