Khamenei says nuclear deal won't open up Iran to US influence

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday rejected an improvement in ties with the United States and said the fate of the nuclear deal with six major powers remained unclear."A ratification of the nuclear agreement should not give the Americans a foothold in Iran," said Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters in the Islamic Republic.
"We will firmly block their way. We will not allow the US to make economic, political or cultural inroads into the country. We will counter such infiltration with all our power," he was quoted as saying by Press TV.
The nuclear deal reached last month curbs Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief and an end to Tehran's diplomatic isolation.
Khamenei also pointed to the fate of the nuclear agreement being unclear.
"Americans seek to make an excuse to infiltrate Iran through a [nuclear] deal whose fate and whether it will be rejected or approved is not yet certain either in Iran or the US," he was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.
The deal has not yet been approved by US lawmakers, who are expected to vote on it next month.
It also remains unclear whether the agreement will persuade Iran and the US to resume diplomatic relations after 35 years.