Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, banned any further negotiations between Iran and the United States, they brought endless disadvantages that could harm the Islamic Republic.
Khamenei has not publicly endorsed the deal reached with world powers in July, which was a political victory for the moderates led by President Hassan Rouhani. Hardliners inside Iran are still trying to put breaks on the agreement.
“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 whenever they had a chance,” Khamenei was quoted as saying on his website.
During the course of the negotiations, he is quoted as saying, the U.S. “made attempts to infiltrate at any spot they were able to; thanks God, the Iranian side was vigilant enough but still at certain points they somehow managed to get chances and did a move contrary to our national interests.” “Urging the youth to stay quite vigilant, he noted that he has nothing to worry about in this regard thanks to the awareness of universities and army forces.”
It’s not clear to what incident Khamenei was referring; U.S. officials have long boasted of their ability to spy on Iran.
The comments come as hardliners in Iran’s parliament try to stop the deal and would appear to put him at loggerheads with President Hassan Rouhani, who has publicly endorsed the agreement. Khamenei has not come out in favor of it, however.