Iran's supreme leader rejects talks with US
Source: Agencies |
February 8, 2013, Friday
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IRAN'S supreme leader yesterday strongly rejected proposals for direct talks with the United States, effectively quashing suggestions for a breakthrough one-on-one dialogue on the nuclear standoff and potentially other issues.
The statement posted on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's website echoes previous remarks opposing bilateral talks with Washington in parallel with stop-and-start nuclear negotiations with world powers which are scheduled to resume later this month.
But the latest comments marked Khamenei's first reaction since the idea of direct talks received a high-profile boost earlier this week from US Vice President Joe Biden during a security summit in Munich attended by Iran's foreign minister.
The US this week further tightened sanctions on the Islamic Republic, which have already cut Iran's oil revenue by 45 percent. The new measures seek to cut deeper into Iran's ability to get oil revenue. Under the oil sanctions, Iran would only be able to use revenue from its oil sales in a country that purchased its crude.
"They say the ball is in Iran's court. The ball is in your court," said Khamenei. "You have to be accountable and explain what it means to offer talks while simultaneously continuing pressure and threats."
Despite the tensions, American proposals for direct dialogue with Iran received a cautious welcome on Sunday from Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi. But he added that Washington needs to quiet its "threatening rhetoric" for the offer to get real consideration by Tehran's ruling clerics.
All major decisions in Iran must be cleared by Khamenei, who has previously opposed direct negotiations with Washington and has shown no inclination of changing his positions.
"Talks will not solve any problems," Khamenei said following a meeting with air force commanders. "You are holding a gun against Iran saying, 'Talks or you'll fire.' The Iranian nation will not be frightened by such threats."
"I am not a diplomat. I am a revolutionary and I express my words honestly," he said.
"Talk is meaningful if it is based on goodwill, equal standing and when both sides do not want to apply tricks," said Khamenei. "Talk as a tactic, a gesture of superpower, is only a deceptive move."
The statement posted on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's website echoes previous remarks opposing bilateral talks with Washington in parallel with stop-and-start nuclear negotiations with world powers which are scheduled to resume later this month.
But the latest comments marked Khamenei's first reaction since the idea of direct talks received a high-profile boost earlier this week from US Vice President Joe Biden during a security summit in Munich attended by Iran's foreign minister.
The US this week further tightened sanctions on the Islamic Republic, which have already cut Iran's oil revenue by 45 percent. The new measures seek to cut deeper into Iran's ability to get oil revenue. Under the oil sanctions, Iran would only be able to use revenue from its oil sales in a country that purchased its crude.
"They say the ball is in Iran's court. The ball is in your court," said Khamenei. "You have to be accountable and explain what it means to offer talks while simultaneously continuing pressure and threats."
Despite the tensions, American proposals for direct dialogue with Iran received a cautious welcome on Sunday from Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi. But he added that Washington needs to quiet its "threatening rhetoric" for the offer to get real consideration by Tehran's ruling clerics.
All major decisions in Iran must be cleared by Khamenei, who has previously opposed direct negotiations with Washington and has shown no inclination of changing his positions.
"Talks will not solve any problems," Khamenei said following a meeting with air force commanders. "You are holding a gun against Iran saying, 'Talks or you'll fire.' The Iranian nation will not be frightened by such threats."
"I am not a diplomat. I am a revolutionary and I express my words honestly," he said.
"Talk is meaningful if it is based on goodwill, equal standing and when both sides do not want to apply tricks," said Khamenei. "Talk as a tactic, a gesture of superpower, is only a deceptive move."
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