Senior Iran cleric hails nuclear “victory” over West

Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Dec. 02 – A senior Iranian Ayatollah told Friday prayers worshippers in Tehran that Iran owed its “victory” in the international stand-off over its suspected nuclear weapons program to its para-military Bassij. Iran Focus

Tehran, Iran, Dec. 02 – A senior Iranian Ayatollah told Friday prayers worshippers in Tehran that Iran owed its “victory” in the international stand-off over its suspected nuclear weapons program to its para-military Bassij.

Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said that the Islamic Republic had forced the West to accept resumption of Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities in its Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) in Isfahan, central Iran.

“The West was forced to accept activities being carried out at Isfahan”, Jannati proclaimed, adding, “Today, Islam’s power and authority are on the rise”.

France, Britain and Germany – the “EU-3” – who have been leading negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program since 2003, broke off talks earlier this year when Iran unilaterally breached its agreement by resuming suspended activities at Isfahan. They have since dropped their demand that Iran shut down the plant before the resumption of talks.

Jannati said that that the Islamic Republic’s victory in Isfahan was thanks to “the [1979 Islamic”> Revolution, and the activities of Bassijis”.

The Bassijis are radical Islamist vigilantes loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The hard-line cleric said that Tehran was unafraid of continuing its nuclear activities.

Jannati, who heads the powerful Guardians Council, is a key ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.