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Supreme Leader rules out US offer for direct talks, citing contradiction in word, action

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Feb 7, IRNA -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Thursday ruled out US offer for direct talks, citing contradiction in word and action.

The Supreme Leader said that the US officials call for direct talks is meaningless while they continue with pressure emanated from their ill intention.

Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces made the remarks in a meeting with rank and file of the Army's Air Force.

He said that the Iranian nation are vigilant, and will participate in Feb 10 rallies (to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the victory of Islamic revolution) and neutralize the enemies' plots.

Iranian people, in the past three decades showed to the world that it is possible and a must to stand against US hegemony, he added.

The Supreme Leader recalled various plots by the enemies, including coup plot, military invasion, all-out support for the Iraqi regime during Iraqi-imposed war 1980-1988, hard war, soft war, media pressures and increasing sanctions in the past three decades, saying the enemies resorted to every thing to disappoint the Iranian nation, but thank God they have become more active and loyal to the Islamic system.

Commenting on remarks made by some American officials that the sanctions are aimed to make people stand against the Islamic system, the Leader said the Iranian nation has always and particularly in rallies to commemorate the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic revolution every year responded to such remarks and will do so this year.

The Supreme Leader said that the ball is in the US court in response to remarks by American officials that the ball is in Iran's court .

''You must be accountable for what you are saying and what is the meaning of direct talks when you've escalated pressure on Iran."

The Supreme Leader said that the one calling for direct talks must prove goodwill.

"You do many bad things with ill intention against Iran and then call for talks! How Iranian nation can believe that you have good intention?"

"We understand their need for talks. Their Middle East policy has been defeated and they have to make good for the defeat."

On US proposal for direct talks four years ago, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "At that time we made it clear that we were waiting for their action, but, in the past four years nothing was seen except for continuation of plots, help for seditionists, and supporting the terrorists who assassinated our government officials."

The Supreme Leader rejected "negotiations for the sake of negotiations" and "tactical negotiations"

The Leader said, "I'm not a diplomat, I'm a revolutionary, hence I talk frankly, honestly and decisively. The offer is meaningful when the one calling for talks proves its goodwill. "

"You hold the gun before the Iranian nation and say let's talk, otherwise, we will shoot."

The Supreme Leader made it clear that the Iranian nation will never accept to negotiate under pressure and threat.

Ayatollah Khamenei said that no one can ignore national interests and independence of Iran to establish US hegemony in Iran once again.

"We favor good relations with every country which is not involved in conspiracy against Iran and believe that that good relations with other countries serve our national interests."

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 1066413