AFP: Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi on Wednesday rejected any talks with the United States on the standoff over its nuclear programme because of Washington’s hostile attitude towards the Islamic republic. AFP
TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi on Wednesday rejected any talks with the United States on the standoff over its nuclear programme because of Washington’s hostile attitude towards the Islamic republic.
“With the existing US hostile policies, there are no grounds for negotiations with Washington. If they deal with Iran on the basis of mutual respect and equality, then we would start talks with them like other countries,” he said.
“But currently there are no such conditions. In fact there no talks about their participation in negotiations between Iran and the Europeans, and the Europeans have not proposed such a thing,” Kharazi told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting.
Washington, regarded here as the “Great Satan,” has been lobbying to refer Iran to the Security Council over its nuclear programme, seeking economic sanctions and other measures against Tehran.
It accuses Iran of covertly developing nuclear weapons, allegations Tehran vehemently denies.
Under an agreement struck in Paris last month, Iran agreed to suspend its controversial nuclear activities in return for trade, technology and security rewards.
The White House however has called on the international community to “remain vigilant” and has not ruled out making a unilateral Security Council referral after Paris accord.
Washington broke off diplomatic ties with Tehran after the 1979 seizure of US embassy staff as hostages and has since imposed unilateral economic sanctions on Iran.
