WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House says it's not ready to suspend economic sanctions against Iran because its compliance with the nuclear deal hasn't been verified.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says Iran is making important progress toward curbing its nuclear program. He says it's possible the Islamic Republic has already completed all the necessary steps.

But Earnest says Iran won't get any sanctions relief until the International Atomic Energy Agency has independently verified that all steps have been completed. He says the U.S. wants to make sure Iran doesn't "cut any corners."

U.S. officials earlier in the week had said that "implementation day" for the Iran nuclear deal could occur within days. Iran will receive billions of dollars in economic sanctions relief in exchange for pulling back its nuclear program.

By AP