An international affairs analyst said the Leader’s recent remarks with respect to the talks between Iran and the major powers on Tehran’s nuclear program foiled attempts by the United States to “blackmail” Iran.
Referring to an address by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to air force commanders and personnel last Sunday in Tehran, Ali Khorram said, “Hardliners and Republicans in the United States lay down conditions for the process of negotiations and some countries in the region are trying to delay a deal until their conditions are met… but Iran certainly will not give in to their excessive demands… and as the Leader stated no group or individual is able to impose excessive demands and blackmail Iran.”
Elsewhere, the former diplomat pointed out, “The Leader’s remarks were absolutely judicious and timely, since the opponents of the talks in the country had tightened the screw on the president and the foreign minister in an effort to give the impression that the negotiations are a wrong and inappropriate action,” adding, “The Leader’s statements indicated that he still backs the nuclear talks and the negotiating team,” ISNA reported on Friday.
He went on to say that over the past few weeks severe critical remarks have been leveled at Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif over “trivial issues”, such as his conduct in the nuclear meetings, implying that the negotiators are going the wrong way, but the Leader’s remarks thwarted such efforts and showed he closely oversees the negotiation process.
In his address, Ayatollah Khamenei backed the nuclear negotiators and the policy of the administration of President Hassan Rouhani on the nuclear talks.
He also said, “We believe not striking a deal is better than the one that runs counter to our nation’s interests,” emphasizing, “If any deal is to be reached, it should be done in a single stage and include general (terms) and details together.”
