Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Iran's spiritual leader approves U.S.-Iran talks
Politics
(AP) — Iran's spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Wednesday said he supported U.S.-Iran talks in Baghdad about improving Iraq's security, state-run television reported. But he warned that the talks would only focus on American responsibilities in Iraq — not Iranian influence in its neighboring country — and said they were not a change in Tehran's policy toward Washington.
"The talks will only be about the responsibility of the occupiers in Iraq," the broadcast quoted Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, as saying. "They think that Islamic Republic has changed its firm, logical and defendable policy in rejecting negotiation with the U.S. They are wrong," he was quoted as saying during a speech to a group of clerics in Mashad city, about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) northeast of Tehran.
(AP) — Iran's spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Wednesday said he supported U.S.-Iran talks in Baghdad about improving Iraq's security, state-run television reported. But he warned that the talks would only focus on American responsibilities in Iraq — not Iranian influence in its neighboring country — and said they were not a change in Tehran's policy toward Washington.
"The talks will only be about the responsibility of the occupiers in Iraq," the broadcast quoted Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, as saying. "They think that Islamic Republic has changed its firm, logical and defendable policy in rejecting negotiation with the U.S. They are wrong," he was quoted as saying during a speech to a group of clerics in Mashad city, about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) northeast of Tehran.
The two countries recently said they would hold ambassador-level talks about Iran's war-torn neighbor, Iraq. Although such talks are seen as a political turnabout, potential for real progress is low as tensions between Iran and the U.S. have continued to escalate.
Contacts between the countries have long been taboo, a status enforced by Iran's top leadership — made up of Shiite clerics — since the U.S. cut ties with Iran after the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Khamenei said Iran's Foreign Ministry decided to talk with the U.S. only because Washington did not fulfill its responsibilities in Iraq and accused the U.S. of trying to topple the current Shiite-led Iraqi government.
"The Iranian Foreign Ministry, based on a request by Iraqi government, decided to remind the U.S. of its responsibilities and duties regarding security ... in a face-to-face negotiation and give them an ultimatum," he was quoted as saying. The broadcast did not elaborate or say what the ultimatum was.
Contacts between the countries have long been taboo, a status enforced by Iran's top leadership — made up of Shiite clerics — since the U.S. cut ties with Iran after the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Khamenei said Iran's Foreign Ministry decided to talk with the U.S. only because Washington did not fulfill its responsibilities in Iraq and accused the U.S. of trying to topple the current Shiite-led Iraqi government.
"The Iranian Foreign Ministry, based on a request by Iraqi government, decided to remind the U.S. of its responsibilities and duties regarding security ... in a face-to-face negotiation and give them an ultimatum," he was quoted as saying. The broadcast did not elaborate or say what the ultimatum was.
But he stressed that Iran's stance on Washington was the same and would only change if the U.S. changed its policies. The broadcast came as dozens of Iranian hard-line students gathered Wednesday in front of the presidential palace in downtown Tehran and criticized the government's decision for holding talk with the U.S.
Baghdad has been encouraging Iran and the United States — the two countries with the greatest influence in Iraq — to talk.
The U.S. accuses Iran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons and supplying Shiite militias in Iraq with roadside bombs used to kill U.S. troops. Iran denies the allegations. During a trip to the region last week, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney warned that the U.S. and its allies would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and dominating the region. Iran has demanded the U.S. leave the Middle East.
Baghdad has been encouraging Iran and the United States — the two countries with the greatest influence in Iraq — to talk.
The U.S. accuses Iran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons and supplying Shiite militias in Iraq with roadside bombs used to kill U.S. troops. Iran denies the allegations. During a trip to the region last week, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney warned that the U.S. and its allies would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and dominating the region. Iran has demanded the U.S. leave the Middle East.
Labels: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran, U.S.
