Iran's Khamenei says nuclear talks will 'lead nowhere'
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Monday nuclear talks with world powers would lead nowhere.
TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran s top decision-maker Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Monday nuclear talks with world powers would "lead nowhere" but that he did not oppose them.
Iran is due to resume talks on Tuesday in Vienna with the P5+1 group -- Britain, France, the United States, Russia and China plus Germany -- aimed at reaching a comprehensive accord on its controversial nuclear programme.
After a decade of failure and rising tensions, US President Barack Obama has put the chances of an agreement at "50-50", while Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has predicted "difficult" discussions.
"I repeat it again that I am not optimistic about the negotiations and they will lead nowhere, but I am not against them," Khamenei said in remarks published on his website Khamenei.ir.
Under a landmark interim deal clinched in November, Iran agreed to freeze some nuclear activities for six months in exchange for modest sanctions relief and a Western promise not to impose new restrictions on its hard-hit economy.
Western powers and Israel have long suspected Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability alongside its civilian programme, charges denied by Tehran.
Israel s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday Iran is the only beneficiary of the talks, and accused Tehran of "continuing its aggressive behaviour."
Under the "comprehensive" deal now being sought, which the parties aim to conclude and begin implementing by November, the powers will want Iran to scale back its activities permanently.
These might include closing the underground Fordo facility, slashing the number of centrifuges used to enrich uranium, reducing its stockpile of fissile material and altering a new reactor being built at Arak, diplomats say.
In exchange, Iran would see all UN Security Council, US and EU sanctions lifted.
"The work that has been started by the foreign ministry will continue and Iran will not violate its commitment, but I repeat it again, it will lead to nowhere," Khamenei said.
Iran "will never succumb to the bullying and blackmailing of America," Khamenei said.
"The nuclear issue is an excuse for America (to continue) its animosity. Now, the American spokesmen are bringing up the issues of human rights and missiles."
