Iran Primer's Blog
Supreme Leader Rejects U.S. Overture
On February 7, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected an offer by Vice President Joe Biden for direct talks. “Some naïve people like the idea of negotiating with America. However, negotiations will not solve the problem,” he said in a speech to Iranian Air Force commanders.
Khamenei’s official Twitter account also posted more than 30 comments on U.S.-Iran talks within hours. One tweet from Khamenei questioned whether "crippling sanctions" are proof of U.S. goodwill. Khamenei’s comments came one day after the United States announced new economic sanctions on Iran. Iran will judge the United States by its actions, another Khamenei tweet said. The following are excerpts from his speech, followed by his recent tweets.
#Iran's Leader: Given the history and current facts, our nation won't negotiate under pressure or w/t those threatening us.
— khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 7, 2013
Ayatollah #Khamenei: After the revolution, some officials optimistically trusted #US but they called us 'axis of evil' and insulted us.
— khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 7, 2013
Ayatollah #Khamenei: Negotiations with #USA won't solve a problem because they've not fulfilled any of their promises in the last 60 years.
— khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 7, 2013
#Iran's Leader: Proposal for direct talks is meaningful when they exhibit their goodwill.
— khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 7, 2013
Ayatollah #Khamenei: "talks about talks", "tactical negotiationS" and proposing negotiations as a superpower gesture is deceitful. #USA
— khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 7, 2013
#Iran's Leader: #US officials claim they have imposed crippling #sanctions to cripple our nation,is this a prove of their goodwill?
— khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 7, 2013
Ayatollah #Khamenei: But in last four years, we have not seen anything other than continuation of their conspiracies, supporting terrorists.
— khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 7, 2013
#Iran's Leader: Recent proposal for direct talk is not new, was repeated before. Iranian nation judge #US words by its actions.
— khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 7, 2013
#Iran's Leader: #US #mideast policy is a failure and they need to have a winning hand. The winning hand is pulling #Iran to negotiations.
— khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 7, 2013
#Iran's Leader rejects proposals for direct talks w/t #US: I'm not a diplomat, I'm a revolutionary and I speak candidly.
— khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 7, 2013
Treasury Sanctions Oil Revenues and Targets Human Rights Abusers
On February 6, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and other financial institutions to restrict Tehran’s ability to spend oil revenues. The Treasury Department also designated one individual and four entities for involvement in censorship activities. The entitles included Iran’s official broadcasting agency, its cyber police, the Communications Regulatory Authority and Iran Electronics Industries. The United States will “target those in Iran who are responsible for human right abuses, especially those who deny the Iranian people their basic freedoms of expression, assembly and speech,” said Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen. The following are excerpts from the press release.
Solving the Iranian Nuclear Puzzle
Iran is still years away from developing nuclear weapons, according to a new report by the Arms Control Association. Evidence suggests that the Islamic Republic has not decided whether or not to build a weapon. But in the meantime, Tehran is building up its technological base and gathering materials needed to produce a weapon. The report warns that Iran could produce enough enriched uranium for one nuclear bomb by the end of 2013.
The report also explores potential ways to solve the nuclear issue. It argues that sanctions alone cannot halt Iran’s program. A military strike would only set back the program and could close the door to diplomacy, or spark a regional war. But a deal that satisfies the needs of Iran’s nuclear power plants, combined with more extensive U.N. safeguards, could guard against a nuclear-armed Iran. The following are excerpts from the report with a link to the full text at the end.
What is Iran’s Strategy at New Talks?
Alireza Nader
What are Tehran’s goals? On what issues might it compromise?
Photo Credit: Khamenei.ir via Facebook
What are Prospects for Progress at New Talks?
How important is Iran in John Kerry’s first year as secretary of state—and why?
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