Iran supreme leader backs nuclear talks extension
TEHRAN - Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei said on Thursday he supported the decision to extend talks with world powers in search of a nuclear agreement, after a missed deadline for a deal.
"For the same reason I was not opposed to the negotiations, I am not opposed to their extension," said Khamenei, who has the final say on Iran's foreign and domestic policy matters. Tehran and world powers announced on Monday that talks on a comprehensive nuclear agreement had been inconclusive and would be extended until Jun 30 next year.
"We will accept a fair and rational agreement," but Iran will oppose "any excessive demand," Khamenei said in a speech to leaders of the Basij militia, broadcast live on state television. "We know that it is the American government who needs this deal and they will be the losers if there isn't one," he added.
"If the negotiations fail, it will not be the end of the world, because our economy is one of resistance," he said. He also hailed Iran's negotiators led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, saying he had "resisted harassment".
