THE United States must lift its sanctions against Iran before talks on the revival of Tehran’s international nuclear deal can begin, the Iranian government said today.

President Joe Biden’s administration pledged on Thursday to re-engage with Iran over the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which also involves Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and the European Union.

The US State Department said that it would accept an EU invitation to meet Iran for talks, expressing an intention to rejoin the pact.