Khamenei tells Iran's hardliners not to undermine nuclear talks
- 11 years ago
As crowds gather in Tehran, Iran's Supreme Leader offers strong backing to President Hassan Rouhani's push for nuclear negotiations.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments will help shield Rouhani, who has sought to thaw relations with the West
SOUNDBITE: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei saying (Farsi):
"No one should consider our negotiators as compromisers. This is wrong. These are our own children, the offspring of the Islamic Revolution.."
Iran will resume negotiations with six world powers, including the United States, in Geneva Thursday. The talks are aimed at ending a standoff over its nuclear work that Tehran denies is weapons-related.
Hardline factions have resisted calls from moderate forces to drop the "Death to America" chant, often heard at Friday prayers throughout Iran.
Khamenei says while he is not optimistic about the outcome of talks -- he sees no downside to holding the negotiations.
Rouhani hopes a deal there will mean a
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments will help shield Rouhani, who has sought to thaw relations with the West
SOUNDBITE: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei saying (Farsi):
"No one should consider our negotiators as compromisers. This is wrong. These are our own children, the offspring of the Islamic Revolution.."
Iran will resume negotiations with six world powers, including the United States, in Geneva Thursday. The talks are aimed at ending a standoff over its nuclear work that Tehran denies is weapons-related.
Hardline factions have resisted calls from moderate forces to drop the "Death to America" chant, often heard at Friday prayers throughout Iran.
Khamenei says while he is not optimistic about the outcome of talks -- he sees no downside to holding the negotiations.
Rouhani hopes a deal there will mean a