Iranian President-Elect Ebrahim Raisi said Monday he would not meet with President Joe Biden or negotiate over Tehran’s nuclear program. He also said he would not discuss the country’s backing of regional militia groups. Raisi, 60, is the head of the Iranian judiciary. Monday was the first news conference after Friday’s presidential election. The hard-liner Raisi won an easy victory after other candidates were barred from running. The U.S. must “lift all oppressive sanctions against Iran,” Raisi said. Asked about Iran’s missile program and its support of regional militias, he called the issues “non-negotiable.” Iran has invested in missiles to counter its Arab neighbors who have bought billions of dollars in American weapons. Those missiles can fly 2,000 kilometers and go across the Middle East and reach U.S. military bases in the region. Iran also counts on support from militias like Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah. Those groups provide a balance against enemies like Saudi Arabia and Israel. Asked about a possible meeting with Biden, Raisi answered simply: “No.” Abdolnasser Hemmati was Raisi’s more moderate competitor in the election. He said during the campaign he might have been willing to meet with Biden.
