Iran’s Khamenei calls US issue ‘unsolvable’ amid nuclear stand-off
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei believes Iran emerged stronger from a devastating 12-day war with the US and Israel.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
DUBAI – Iran’s supreme leader said the current situation with the US was “unsolvable”, and that Tehran would never bow to pressure to obey Washington, amid a stand-off with Western powers over its nuclear programme, state media reported on Aug 24.
The Islamic republic suspended nuclear negotiations with the Americans after the US and Israel bombed its nuclear sites during a 12-day war in June
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s comments, delivered at a mosque and published on a government website, come after Iran and European powers agreed on Aug 22 to resume talks to try to restart full negotiations on curbing Tehran’s nuclear enrichment work.
“They want Iran to be obedient to America. The Iranian nation will stand with all of its power against those who have such erroneous expectations,” Mr Khamenei was reported as saying.
“People who ask us not to issue slogans against the US… to have direct negotiations with the US only see appearances… This issue is unsolvable,” he added.
France, Britain and Germany have said they could reactivate United Nations sanctions on Iran under a “snapback” mechanism if Tehran does not return to the table.
The European states, along with the US, say Iran is working towards developing nuclear weapons. Iran says it is only interested in developing nuclear power.
To Mr Khamenei, Iran has emerged stronger from the 12-day war in June, the most intense direct confrontation in its history with arch foes Israel and the US.
“The Iranian nation, by standing firm alongside the armed forces, the government and the system, delivered a strong blow” to its enemies, he said.
Internal divisions
Mr Khamenei, who has the final say on state affairs, also warned against internal divisions he said foreign powers were fomenting.
“The way forward for the enemy is to create discord” in Iran, he said, blaming “agents of America and the Zionist regime” – a reference to Israel – for seeking to sow division.
“Today, thanks to God, the country is united. There are differences of opinion, but when it comes to defending the system, defending the country, and standing up against the enemy, the people are united,” said Mr Khamenei.
Relations between Tehran and Washington were severed after the 1979 Islamic revolution and the subsequent hostage crisis at the US embassy.
Washington has since imposed successive waves of sanctions on Tehran, most recently over its nuclear programme.
The June war broke out as Tehran and Washington were due to hold their sixth round of talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, but the negotiations that began weeks earlier were derailed by the conflict.
Iran is due to meet on Aug 26 with Britain, France and Germany for nuclear talks, as the European powers have threatened to reimpose sanctions if no agreement is reached. REUTERS, AFP
