Biden: "Iran Must Halt Uranium Enrichment to Ease Sanctions"

"Xi Jinping, Not a Single Democratic Aspect" Confirms Firm Response from China

U.S. President Joe Biden is greeting the public before the start of the Super Bowl game held on the 7th. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min, Reporter Kim Su-hwan] U.S. President Joe Biden has stated that the United States will not make the first concession in returning to the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA). President Biden also warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping is not democratic, suggesting that extreme competition with China could unfold.

On the 7th (local time), President Biden, in an interview with CBS, urged, "Iran must stop uranium enrichment first" regarding the return to the Iran nuclear deal. This clearly indicates that Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal conditions must precede the easing of economic sanctions.

This is the first time President Biden has expressed his position on the Iran nuclear deal since taking office. Even during his foreign policy speech at the State Department on the 4th, he made no mention of Iran. This statement came after the White House National Security Council (NSC) held a meeting with Iranian-related officials on the 5th.

Before President Biden’s inauguration, which signaled a return to the nuclear deal, Iran announced it would expand its uranium enrichment limit to 20%. The nuclear deal, from which the Trump administration withdrew, limits Iran’s uranium enrichment to 4%. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also warned on the 1st that "(Iran) will have uranium enriched to a level that could be weaponized within weeks," urging Iran to completely halt uranium enrichment.

On the other hand, Iran has set the lifting of U.S. sanctions as a precondition. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in a speech to air force commanders ahead of the 42nd anniversary of the revolution, demanded, "If the U.S. wants Iran to return to its (nuclear deal) obligations, it must completely lift sanctions." Accordingly, analysts suggest that a full-scale power struggle between the U.S. and Iran over the nuclear deal return has begun.

President Biden also reaffirmed a tough stance toward China. He described President Xi as "very smart and tough, but not democratic at all. This is not a criticism, just a reality." Biden also stated that while there may not be a physical clash with China, extreme competition will occur.

President Biden said he is not ruling out dialogue with President Xi and sees no reason not to engage in talks. This is interpreted as a continuation of his statement on the 4th that he is prepared to cooperate with China if it aligns with national interests. Regarding China, Biden indicated he would not act "the way Trump (former president) did," suggesting he will pressure China through alliances and coalitions, unlike former President Trump.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.