Senior Iran cleric demands removal of banking, oil sanctions

FILE PHOTO: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting via video conference with people from East Azarbaijan in Tehran, Iran, February 17, 2022. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY/File Photo

DUBAI (Reuters) - A senior Iranian cleric said on Friday ending Iran’s economic isolation by lifting banking and oil trade sanctions was Tehran's most important demand in talks on reviving its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Iran on Wednesday urged the West to be "realistic" in the talks, as its top negotiator returned to Tehran for what might be final consultations ahead of a possible accord following months of indirect talks with the United States.