World Bulletin / News Desk

 Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday Tehran will not accept a comprehensive nuclear deal with major powers if all sanctions imposed on Tehran are not lifted, state television reported.

"The end of these negotiations and a signed deal must include a declaration of cancelling the oppressive sanctions on the great nation of Iran."

Iran wants sanctions that include nuclear-related United Nations resolutions as well as U.S. and EU nuclear-related economic sanctions, to be lifted at once. The U.S. says that sanctions against Iran would be removed gradually.

In what was seen as a setback for Barack Obama, the U.S. president agreed on Tuesday that Congress should have the power to review any deal with Iran, backing down to pressure from Republicans and some in his own party.

The move blocks Obama's ability to waive many U.S. sanctions on Tehran while Congress reviews the deal. It also allows Congress a final vote on whether to lift sanctions imposed by U.S. lawmakers.

Rouhani said this was an internal issue for Washington.