Iran requires 190,000 centrifuges to satisfy its nuclear needs, says Ayatollah Khamenei
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has ruled out opening Iran’s military sites for inspection Reuters

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has laid down tough conditions for Iran to sign a deal over the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme, including the immediate lifting of sanctions.

The Supreme Leader made his "red lines" speech as a deadline neared for Iranian negotiators and six world powers - the US, UK, Russia, France, China and Germany - to strike a deal. The diplomats have until 30 June.

"All financial and economic sanctions imposed by the U.N. Security Council, the U.S. Congress or the U.S. government should be lifted immediately when we sign a nuclear agreement," said Ayatollah Khamenei, who has the final say over all policy questions, said in a speech broadcast live on TV and radio.

He added: "Unlike the insistence from the Americans, we do not accept long-term limitations of 10, 12 years, and we told them how many years [of] limitations we are ready to accept". He also said that "inspection of our military sites is out of the question and is one of our red lines".

Khamenei accused the United States of wanting to wipe out Iran's nuclear industry. "America is after destroying our nuclear industry altogether. Our negotiators' aim is to safeguard Iran's integrity ... and our nuclear achievements during the talks."

Israeli opposition

Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran is a threat to his country and the Jewish people Getty Images

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is opposed to any deal that will allow the Iranians a military nuclear programme.

Speaking in Tel Aviv on 22 June, Netanyahu said: "The consequences of the Iran deal are not merely a non-conventional threat that will be hanging over our heads, it's the immediate conventional threat against Israel, Yemen and other regional countries, as well as more terrorism worldwide.

"The number one threat facing Israel and the Jewish people is Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and we are now at a historic crossroads. The negotiators are discussing a deal that will endanger Israel's survival.

"It will endanger the security of the region it will endanger the peace of the world."

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