The Americans have voiced willingness to enter into talks with Iran over regional issues such as Syria and Yemen because they need Tehran’s assistance to settle their regional problems, said Ali Akbar Velayati, the Supreme Leader’s Advisor for International Affairs, adding, “But Iranian officials have not been allowed by the Leader to hold talks with the US over regional or bilateral issues, because the Americans have proven to be unreliable.”
The following is the translation of part of what etekhab.ir quoted the former foreign minister as saying on July 21:
On Iran’s nuclear negotiating team, Velayati said, “Our nuclear negotiators have been working for the Foreign Ministry for years and are among the country’s most seasoned experts in international affairs; they have left no stone unturned in their efforts to secure the best outcome for the country in nuclear talks.”
He added if certain objectives have not been fulfilled, definitely they couldn’t have done more, because these individuals are the best of the best.
The Leader’s senior advisor added, “The recent text [of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] that I have briefly examined has some weaknesses, but I have no doubt that the Iranian negotiators have done their best to stand up for the rights of the Iranian people and safeguard our national interests.”
Velayati went on to say, “On no account will the Islamic Republic of Iran budge an inch when it comes to defense issues. Except nuclear-capable missiles, we will develop any missile that we see fit: liquid-fueled or solid-fueled, short-range or long-range.”
