“You should do something that will immunize the country against sanctions,” the Supreme leader was quoted by the media outlet as saying in an address to the crowd marking the anniversary of the 1977 anti-Shah uprising in the city of Qom.
Ali Khamenei added that no Iranian official would agree on the lifting of international sanctions "if it is against his [Iran's] dignity,” as quoted by IRNA news agency.
Since 2006, the United Nations, the United States and a broad coalition of governments have imposed numerous economic sanctions against Iran over the country’s alleged development of nuclear weapons under the guise of a peaceful energy program — claims, denied by Tehran.
Despite some progress in the talks between Iran and international mediators, a comprehensive long-term deal on the issue has not yet been reached.
The nuclear talks are due to continue until July 1, with the next round scheduled to take place in Geneva on January 18.