TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader yesterday gave his indirect approval for a continuation of talks over its disputed nuclear programme, criticising world powers who many frustrated Iranians believe could have worked harder to reach a deal with the country.
The remarks were the first by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, since Iran and the major powers agreed Monday to decide by March 1 about what agreements must be reached on what schedule. A final deal is meant to follow four months later.
“On the nuclear issue, the United States and European colonialist countries gathered and applied their entire efforts to bring the Islamic Republic to its knees but they could not and they will not,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, speaking to a group of clerics, according to his website. His reference to the future signals indirect approval of the talks.
In a nationwide broadcast on Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rowhani said Iran “has achieved a significant victory” and that “negotiations will lead to a deal, sooner or later”. He also said many obstacles in the talks “have been eliminated”.
Mojtaba Fathi, a Tehran-based analyst, believed the extension of the talks means that current sanctions “will not increase against Iran and a reduction of the sanctions is possible while it has its own nuclear program on the ground. This has added to hopes for solving the case”.
Iranian lawmakers yesterday showed a mix of cautious optimism and defiance. Vice-Chairman of Parliament, Mohammad Hassan Aboutorabifard, said the US is not trustworthy since Washington “sacrifices” its national interests for Israel, but he still voiced support for further nuclear talks. Parliamentarians in attendance responded to his remarks by chanting, “Down with America.”
Lawmaker Mansour Haghighatpour, a member of the parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, said that the extension of the talks proves that “Iran does not give in its long-term interests”. On Tehran’s streets, many said they had expected a deal on Monday, but that they remain patient in hopes for a future agreement.
“They should reach a deal,” taxi driver Mohammad Sayari said. “I was ready to take to the streets alongside other people to celebrate the announcement of a deal, which could mean better opportunities for me to earn more for my family.”
Hasti Ahmadi, a student in Azad Art University, said she did not expect any deal. “The West is against us for any reasons,” she said. “They cannot tolerate Iran’s progress. They will raise another excuse after seven months to give up on a deal.”
Coffee shop manager Masoud Dehghani said he is still hopeful a deal can be reached. “Our leaders are very integrated and determined,” he said.
AP
