Iran’s Khamenei Bans Further Talks with US

Iran’s leader warned against further negotiations with the US and the negative influence they will have on Iran, possibly dashing Obama’s hopes for closer relations with the Islamic Republic. 

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

US President Barack Obama was hoping for a détente with the Islamic Republic in the wake of the nuclear deal he signed with it in July, and was looking forward to possible regional cooperation on a number of issues with Iran, but Iran’s’ supreme leader made it clear that this was not an option, warning against the “enemy,” the US, and their plot to “weaken religious and political beliefs” in Iran.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Monday of “enemies’ plots to debilitate the young Iranian people’s religious and political beliefs”.

“Diminishing the religious and political beliefs and attempts to attract active and effective youth at different levels is among the plans of the enemy’s political and cultural division,” Khamenei said, Iran’s Fars news reported.

He underlined that efforts to promote ”important concepts” like “Jihad, martyrdom” and “patience for God can foil enemies’ plots.”

Khamenei also called on Iranian artists to cooperate with each other to produce more influential artworks.

The Iranian leader has previously warned about “enemies’ soft-war plots” to “undermine Iran’s resolve towards progress.”

No Further Negotiations with US

In related news, Khamenei warned against further talks with the US and banned them.

“Negotiations with the United States open gates to their economic, cultural, political and security influence. Even during the nuclear negotiations they tried to harm our national interests,” Khamenei was quoted as saying on his website on Wednesday.

“The Americans are not hiding their animosity towards Iran… Americans in the Congress are plotting and passing bills against us… Negotiations are a tool for them to influence Iran and to impose their will,” he added.

“Our negotiators were vigilant but the Americans took advantage of a few chances,” he said.

These comments contradict statements made by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday that Iran was ready to hold talks with the United States on ways to resolve Syria’s civil war.