European visits to Tehran ‘yet to produce desirable effects’

TEHRAN, Apr. 13 (MNA) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution has criticized the general state of affairs in European delegations visits to Tehran; says Tehran awaits to see visits to come to concrete outcomes for Iran. On Tuesday evening, Ayatollah Khamenei received Matteo Renzi, Italian Prime Minister, who is visiting Tehran when he voiced objections that despite frequent visits by European delegations in recent months, Tehran had found no concrete results, with results of negotiations still to be awaited; “Iran views Italy and cooperation with other European countries in a positive light, and hope that this visit would bolster this view; Italian behavior during sanctions era had been more rational than other Europeans,” emphasized the Leader. “We welcome improving ties with Italy in all sectors especially economic cooperation.” Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted his former point about the unavailing nature of much-vaunted agreements which once had made officials rejoiced at the future of talks; “some government officials would blame the US on this, which seems plausible pretext given the record of country’s conduct; currently, the US would refrain from remaining committed to their share of obligations in JCPOA and would intimidate other parties to deal so that they abandon their own share of commitments without further outcome,” the Leader objected. “I believe visit by President Rouhani to Italy was positive; we expect that Europeans also see Iran in the same positive light and good will, since we have seen that they had only eyed the US conduct to coordinate their policies with those of the US.” The Leader then turned to terrorism and reiterated blame for the hypocrisy of the US and the west in fighting a fundamentalist group of terrorists once fostered by their own; “there has been much evidence of the support of the US for ISIL and now they purportedly made anti-ISIL coalition; as you may agree, fighting terrorism entails addressing its cultural roots as well as financial supports coming from specific countries,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. “The propaganda empire dominated by western vested interests of influential politicians have, under any pretext, fueled Islamophobia, and behind-the-scene give-and-takes and conspiracy would rob countries with good will of their means to fight and address the cultural side,” he told the meeting, where Iran’s President Rouhani accompanied Mr. Renzi. “In today’s visit, we discussed important issues including economy and the necessity that we should improve and reform economic and financial mechanisms; Italy respects the nuclear deal with Iran and we believe that sanctions no longer bite Iran’s hard-hit economy now after the JCPOA; we are resolve to remain committed to our obligations in the deal,” Mr. Matteo Renzi told the meeting. “Curbing support, especially military and financial support of the ISIL and other terrorism would effectively contribute to their overthrow, which is of prime importance now that they have reached our homes and streets in the mainland Europe.” “Iran and Italy are in a general agreement on fighting terrorism; it is totally wrong to condemn Islam in the name of expressing hatred to terrorism, an act committed by US presidential candidates; we should sit and demonstrate that great religions would advocate peace and symbiosis and your role as a high religious leader will be prominent in this regard,” he added.