Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Says NO

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, talks with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, unseen, under a picture of Iran’s late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, during their official meeting in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 27, 2006. Khamenei has rejected the prospect of talks with the United States on the nuclear program, saying nothing would be gained, state television reported Tuesday. ‘Negotiations with the United States would have no benefit for us, and we do not need them,’ the television quoted Khamenei as telling Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade.

AP: Iranian Leader: Talks With U.S. Not Needed

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran does “not need” talks with the United States over its nuclear program because nothing would be gained, state television reported Tuesday.

The United States has said that if Iran accepts a package of incentives meant to get Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment, it would join its European partners in negotiations with the Islamic republic over a framework for its nuclear program. That package was offered earlier this month.

“Negotiations with the United States would have no benefit for us, and we do not need them,” state television quoted Khamenei as telling Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade.

Washington’s offer to join talks was seen as a major concession since the United States lists Iran as a sponsor of international terrorism and there have been no diplomatic relations between the two countries since 1979, when militants stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took Americans hostage for 444 days.

White House press secretary Tony Snow said the Bush administration does not consider Khamenei’s comments to be an official response. The United States and its European partners have said they are waiting for Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, to communicate with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, Snow said.

Is this a definite NO regarding the Big 6 proposal or more bloviation for an additonal stall with regards to negotiations with the Europeans (without the United States)?

There have been ample time and opportunity to work a compromise to end this crisis. But, Iran covets nuclear weapons and does not wish to end uranium enrichment PERIOD.

When the offical NO is delivered, it is off to the United Nations Security Council.

“We do not negotiate with anybody on achieving and exploiting nuclear technology,” the TV quoted Khamenei as saying. “But if they recognize our nuclear rights, we are ready to negotiate about controls, supervisions and international guarantees.”

Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, said the West would misuse the negotiating process to pressure his country.

Khamenei means when the Big 6 recognizes that Iran posseses nuclear weapons that Iran may negotiate.

Of course, this is a deal ending statement.

All of the Irnaian negotiations for years has yielded NOTHING. Is this a surprise?

NOPE