Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei: West must respect red lines

Leader: West must accept our red lines
Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:12:47

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution says that the West must respect Iran's 'red lines' before entering nuclear talks with Tehran.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that Tehran is ready for negotiations with world powers as long as no one threatens Iran over its nuclear program.  "We have made clear our stance and red lines on the nuclear issue. Our position on the matter should be respected," the Leader said.  "Iranian experts have acquired nuclear technology and no power in the world can deprive Iran of its right to this know-how."   The Leader's remarks were made ahead of talks scheduled for Saturday in Geneva between Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on a Western package of incentives.  In mid-June, Solana presented Iran with the package requiring the country to suspend its nuclear program in exchange for political and economic benefits.

Washington and its allies previously demanded Iran halt enrichment before entering into nuclear talks. The US State Department, however, announced on Saturday that Tehran may enter negotiations without initially suspending uranium enrichment.  The US, Israel, and their European allies accuse Tehran of pursuing a nuclear weapons program and threaten Iran with the use of military force should the Islamic Republic continue uranium enrichment.  Iran insists its nuclear program is aimed at generating electricity and is in line with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The most recent UN nuclear watchdog report concluded that there is no link between the use of nuclear material and the 'alleged studies' of weaponization attributed to Iran by Western countries.  Turning to the recent US and Israeli threats against Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei advised Washington and Tel Aviv against entertaining the idea of an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.  "Anyone foolish enough to attack Iran will be met with a devastating response," the Leader expounded. Tel Aviv reportedly staged a long-range air maneuver, in early June, in preparation for a unilateral air strike on Iranian nuclear sites. While Tehran has dismissed the threat of war as a 'silly joke', it cautions it would target Israel and set US interests in the Persian Gulf ablaze should the country come under attack.

MD/HGH