Iran’s foreign minister has criticized the United States for its posture in JCPOA nuclear talks, demanding lifting of all US sanctions imposed since 2018.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian tweeted Tuesday that “The White House calls for negotiations with Iran…Yet it simultaneously imposes new sanctions on Iranian individuals & entities”.

The US Treasury Department on October 29 announced new sanctions on a few Iranian officials and companies for their role in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program of the IRGC and its Qods (Quds) Force. Days earlier, drones suspected to have been supplied by Iran hit a US base in southern Syria.

The Iranian foreign minister fired off a second tweet saying that the goal of the nuclear talks should be “tangible results on the basis of respect for mutual interests”. He added that the remaining members of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) should be ready for talks.

Iran has been hardening its posture in recent days, demanding the full removal of all US sanctions imposed since 2018, when former president Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA. It is has also said it will not have any contacts with the US until all sanctions are lifted.

Amir-Abdollahian has tested positive for Covid-19 and is in quarantine.