Iran-US nuclear talks ‘well implemented’ in first step: Leader
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the negotiations between Iran and the United State over Tehran’s nuclear program have been “well implemented in their initial steps”.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with the heads of the Islamic Republic’s executive, judicial, and legislative branches on Tuesday.
“Talks are one of a dozen dossiers followed up by the Foreign Ministry. We are neither overly optimistic nor pessimistic regarding them. After all, it is a process which was decided and its first steps have been well implemented”, he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei added that the development of the country’s various affairs should not be linked to the negotiations, asserting that the country had to lead those various affairs independently and rely on its own resources.
“Let us not tie the country’s issues to the talks,” the Leader said, adding that despite Iran’s sentiment of great skepticism regarding the talks, “We are optimistic about our own capabilities.”
“At the time (of the JCPOA), we made everything conditional on the progress of the negotiations,” he said.
“This mistake... should not be repeated here.”
“When an investor sees that the country is conditional on negotiations, they do not invest,” he said.
Tehran and Washington are due to meet again in Oman’s capital on Saturday to hold the second round of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program a week after top officials from both sides held the first meeting described by the both sides as “positive and constructive”.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the second round of the talks will also be held in Oman after some Western media reported that Italy’s capital, Rome, will host the negotiations.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump said he believes Iran is intentionally delaying a nuclear deal and that it must abandon any drive for a nuclear weapon or face a possible military strike on Tehran’s atomic facilities.
“I think they’re tapping us along,” Trump told reporters.
“Iran has to get rid of the concept of a nuclear weapon. They cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
Asked if US options for a response include a military strike on Tehran’s nuclear facilities, Trump said: “Of course it does.”
Trump said the Iranians need to move fast to avoid a harsh response because “they’re fairly close” to developing a nuclear weapon.
Iran has repeatedly rejected the US claims, saying its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, especially energy production.