Iran Not to Succumb to US Bullying: Senior Cleric
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A top Iranian cleric asserted on Friday that Tehran will not retreat even an iota from its right to enjoy nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, stressing that failure to reach a nuclear deal with world powers is better than giving in to the US language of force.
“Failure to reach a (final) deal would be better than submission to the force and bullying and tolerating the US oppressive offers,” Tehran's Provisional Friday Prayers Leader Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Movahedi Kermani said, addressing a gathering of worshippers in Tehran.
He made the comments in reaction to the US officials who say Washington needs to get the right agreement with Iran on its nuclear program and that “no deal is better than a bad deal.”
Ayatollah Movahedi Kermani also dismissed as a “stupid move” interacting with Iran with a language of force and threats, saying, “The other side has no option but to hold logical negotiations with respect.”
He further made it clear that Iran will not retreat even an iota from the nuclear research and development activities and the uranium enrichment program for peaceful purposes.
His remarks came ahead of a final round of nuclear talks between Iran and the Groups 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) to reach a comprehensive agreement on Tehran’s civilian nuclear program before a November 24 deadline.
On November 24, 2013, Iran and the Group 5+1 (also referred to as the P5+1 or E3+3) signed an interim nuclear deal in the Swiss city of Geneva.
The Geneva deal (the Joint Plan of Action) came into effect in January and expired in July, when the parties decided to extend negotiations until November 24 in the hope of clinching a final, lasting accord.
