Leader has final say on negotiations with US: Khatami

An Iranian cleric says the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei is the only authority who can decide on holding talks with the US.

“With regards to making peace and negotiations with the US, the only person who can make a decision is the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, and others can have no opinion on this,” Ahmad Khatami said on Sunday.

Khatami, who is a member of the Assembly of Experts, made the remarks during the rally marking the 34th anniversary of the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, in the city of Tabriz.

Referring to the hostile US measures against Iran such as the imposing sanctions, Khatami said negotiations would be only meaningful when the conditions are equal for both sides and as long as Washington maintains its arrogant nature and considers itself above other countries, no talks can be held with American officials.
On February 2, US Vice President Joe Biden said Washington was ready to hold direct talks with Iran over its nuclear energy program.

On Wednesday, February 6, the US Treasury Department announced new sanctions targeting Iranian oil revenues. The sanctions prevent Iran from gaining access to earnings garnered through crude exports.

On Thursday, in a strong response, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei lashed out at the idea of any talks with the United States under pressure and threats .

“I am not a diplomat. I am a revolutionary and speak frankly, honestly, and firmly. An offer of talks makes sense only when the side [that makes the offer] shows its goodwill,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a Thursday meeting with the officials and commanders of Iran’s Navy.

“You (the Americans) point the gun at Iran and say either negotiate or we pull the trigger! You should know that pressure and negotiations don’t go together, and that the [Iranian] nation will not be intimidated by such things,” the Leader added.

“Negotiation with the United States does not solve any problem because they have not fulfilled any of their promises in the past 60 years,” the Leader added.