Iran's supreme leader bans negotiations with the United States

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

World | Wed Oct 7, 2015 8:56am EDT

Iran's supreme leader bans negotiations with the United States

DUBAI

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday banned any further negotiations between Iran and the United States, putting the brakes on moderates hoping to end Iran's isolation after reaching a nuclear deal with world powers in July.

Khamenei, the highest authority in the Islamic Republic, already said last month there would be no more talks with the United States after the nuclear deal, but has not previously declared an outright ban.

His statements directly contradict those of moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who says his government is ready to hold talks with the United States on how to resolve the conflict in Syria, where the two countries back opposing sides.

"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.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/07/us-iran-us-talks-idUSKCN0S10P220151007

[louis-t]

1. We need to keep our noses out of Syria.

If Putin wants to butt in, let him. If he manages to get rid of ISIS and in the process takes out all opposition to Assad, so be it. We don't need any more quagmires.