Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei
In his first official remarks about the framework agreement between Iran and Western powers, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said on Thursday that nothing is finalized, and therefore the understandings remain non-binding.
“I’m neither for nor against the outcome of the recent talks. According to the Iranian officials involved no measure has been taken yet and there are no binding results,” said Khamenei during a televised speech on Thursday.
Khamenei added that in light of past experience, he is not optimistic regarding the negotiations with the U.S., but allowed for the talks to take place anyway, stressing that he supports the ongoing negotiation, and would support a future agreement if it upholds Iran’s honor and interests.
Khamenei also said that it’s too early to tell if the talks will lead to an agreement, and called for restraint among Iranians on announcing victory or failure in the negotiations.
“I fully trust our negotiating team, but I’m weary of the other side’s attempt at deception. It’s all about the details. The deceptive side may want to stab Iran in the back over the details; it is too early to congratulate,” continued Khamenei, who also praised Iranian nuclear achievements thus far, and reiterated previous Iranian claims that its nuclear program has peaceful purposes. “I told President Rohani and Foreign Minister Zarif that any agreement must preserve Iran’s right to scientific and technological development. They need to find a way for that to happen,” Khamenei said.
According to Khamenei, the United States published a document that was “mostly false” after the latest round of talks. “I gave President Rohani my list of principles and red lines. Beyond that, I don’t intend to get involved in details,” although he also noted that he instructed the negating teams to make it clear to the Western powers that Iran will not allow IAEA inspectors into military facilities under the pretext of supervision of its nuclear program.