Iran To Focus Only On Nuclear Issues In Talks With 5+1 : Official

Tehran, Feb 24, IRNA – Advisor to the Supreme Leader for international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati said Iranˈs negotiating team is to focus just on the nuclear issue during talks with the 5+1. Talking to IRNA on Monday, he said that Iranian negotiators are not to discuss anything but the nuclear issue in talks with the five permanent United Nations Security Council members plus Germany. However, he added, Iran is quite ready to discuss its human rights status or any other topics in the United Nations. Stressing that no topics other than the nuclear issue could be on agenda during the negotiations with the 5+1, he said Iran has used its basic and inalienable right to reinforce its defense capabilities and will never ask for permission of any country or hegemonic power for doing so. He stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran will definitely not allow any country or person to intervene in its domestic or defense affairs. Velayati, who also heads the center for strategic studies affiliated to the Expediency Council, said Iran strongly criticizes the western countries for their human rights record. He explained that the issue of human rights in Iran is based on the Islamic teachings which guarantee the most advanced human rights standards. When certain western countries try to evaluate Iranˈs human rights performance with their secular standards, they naturally go astray, he added. Velayati further noted that numerous threats posed to Iran, directly or indirectly, has no more any effect and said the new US sanctions too are against the nuclear deal with the 5+1./end