The United States says sanctions imposed on Iran would be lifted in �a phased manner� as part of a final nuclear agreement between Tehran and the West.

"Sanctions will be suspended in a phased manner upon verification that Iran has met specific commitments under a finalized joint comprehensive plan of action," State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said on Thursday.

Iran insists all sanctions should be removed once a framework agreement reached in Switzerland last week is finalized.

By Press TV