Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei said Monday his country’s nuclear negotiations with world powers will "lead nowhere."
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei said Monday his country's nuclear negotiations with world powers will "lead nowhere."
"Some of the officials of the previous government as well as the officials of this government think the problem will be resolved if they negotiate the nuclear issue," IRNA news agency quoted Sayyed Khamenei as saying.
"I repeat it again that I am not optimistic about the negotiations and they will lead nowhere, but I am not against them," he added.
Iran is due to resume talks on Tuesday in Vienna with the P5+1 major powers in order to reach a comprehensive accord on its controversial nuclear program.
The Supreme Leader said Iran would abide by its pledge to pursue the negotiations, adding that Iranian officials should "continue their efforts".
"The work that has been started by the foreign ministry will continue and Iran will not violate its commitment, but I repeat it again, it will lead to nowhere," Ayatollah Khamenei stated.
"The Iranian nation emphasized that it will never succumb to the bullying and blackmailing of America," said his eminence, referring to anti-US slogans chanted by huge crowds during nationwide celebrations last week of the 35th anniversary of Iran's Islamic revolution.
He also pointed out at Iran's nuclear issue was being used as a pretext for Washington to pursue hostile policies towards the Islamic republic.
"The nuclear issue is an excuse for America (to continue) its animosity. Now, the American spokesmen are bringing up the issues of human rights and missiles."
The scheduled three-day meeting in Vienna between Iran and the so-called P5+1 is the first in what is expected to be a series of tricky encounters in the coming months.
Under the "comprehensive" deal now being sought, which the parties aim to conclude and commence implementing by November, the powers will want Iran to scale back its activities permanently.
