Iran says so negotiations with bullying states

KABUL (Pajhwok):  Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has scorned US President Donald Trump’s calls for negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

IRNA quoted him as saying offers of talks from “bullying” powers, not aimed at addressing issues, were an attempt to impose their demands on Iran.

At a meeting with top government leaders and senior military officials in Tehran on Saturday, Khamenei made clear Iran would not meet bullies’ expectations.

On Friday, Trump said he had sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader, asking for the resumption of negotiations on a nuclear deal.

“They aim to create doubt in the public’s mind about why, despite their express readiness for talks, we are unwilling to negotiate,” Khamenei said.

He also hit out at European parties to the nuclear deal for accusing Iran of not honouring its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

During his first term in office, Trump had walked out of the Obama administration’s nuclear deal with Iran and ordered strike on Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.

PAN Monitor/mud