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Leader says not optimistic about N-talks, not opposed either

Iran Press TV

Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:7PM GMT

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says he is not optimistic about Iran's nuclear negotiations with the P5+1 group but noted he is not opposed to the talks either.

"The perception of some officials of the former administration and also the present administration is that if we negotiate with the US on the nuclear issue, the problem will be solved. Due to their insistence on negotiations over the nuclear issue, I said I'm not opposed either, but at that time I said that I'm not optimistic," the Leader said in an address to a gathering of thousands of people from the northwestern city of Tabriz on Monday.

The gathering in Tehran was held to mark the anniversary of the 1978 uprising of the people of Tabriz against the US-backed Pahlavi rule.

Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran will never capitulate to the global hegemony's bullying tactics and dismissed attempts to portray the US government as caring and humanitarian as "futile."

The Leader said the nuclear issue is a pretext, adding that if the nuclear issue is resolved according to Washington wishes, the Americans will find new pretexts.

"Everyone is now seeing the spokesmen of the US administration are bringing up human rights issues and Iran's missile and defense capabilities," the Leader noted.

Ayatollah Khamenei added that the Iranian administration will not violate its pledge to continue nuclear talks with the Sextet of world powers – the US, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany – stressing, however, that the Washington's enmity towards Iran would not end with such negotiations.

Iran and the Sextet clinched an interim nuclear deal in Geneva, Switzerland, Last November. The two sides are to resume their talks in the Austrian capital, Vienna, on February 18 in order to reach a final accord aimed at fully resolving the West's decade-old dispute over Iran's nuclear energy program.

ASH/NN/HRB/MKA/HGH