Iranian supreme leader still considers diplomacy in nuclear row

Iranian supreme leader still considers diplomacy in nuclear row

Iranian supreme leader still considers diplomacy in nuclear row
The West accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, which the Iranian government denied.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not ruled out diplomacy against the backdrop of military tensions and the nuclear dispute.

We have all the necessary means, such as logic and military strength,’’ the 86-year-old said in a speech released by his office on Wednesday.

Iran will, therefore, act with self-confidence and strength, “whether in the field of diplomacy or the military,’’ he said.

It was the second time since the war that Khamenei appeared before government officials at his power centre in Tehran.

According to a report by the US news site Axios, the U.S., Germany, France and the UK have given the Iranian leadership until the end of August to reach a new nuclear agreement.

After that, tough UN sanctions would be reimposed.

The Iranian government recently signalled its willingness to talk, provided certain preconditions are met including a guarantee that it will not be attacked during the negotiations and recognition of its civilian nuclear programme.

Before the 12-day war with Israel in June, Washington and Tehran had been negotiating for around two months over Iran’s controversial nuclear programme.

The talks stalled, and the U.S. demanded an end to Iranian uranium enrichment, a red line for Tehran.

The West accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, which the Iranian government denied.

Tehran hopes that the negotiations will lead, among other things, to the lifting of strict economic sanctions.

Observers also see the possibility that war between Israel and Iran could break out again.

(dpa/NAN)