TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on Sunday that the Islamic Republic’s dispute with the United States is “unsolvable,” vowing that Tehran would never bow to Washington’s pressure in the escalating nuclear standoff.
Iran suspended direct nuclear negotiations with Washington following a 12-day war in June, during which the U.S. and Israel bombed several of its nuclear facilities. Despite this, Tehran and European powers agreed on Friday to resume discussions aimed at reviving broader talks on limiting Iran’s uranium enrichment activities.
“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,” Khamenei was quoted as saying.
Criticizing calls within Iran to soften its posture toward Washington, Khamenei added: “People who ask us not to issue slogans against the U.S. … to have direct negotiations with the U.S. only see appearances. This issue is unsolvable.”
European states- France, Britain, and Germany have warned they could trigger the “snapback” mechanism, which would reinstate United Nations sanctions on Iran, if Tehran refuses to return to the negotiating table.
While the U.S. and its allies accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons capability, Tehran maintains that its program is solely for civilian energy production.
-Elwely
