Leader to give permission for Iran-U.S. direct talks if he deems it necessary: Rohani

TEHRAN,March13(MNA)-- The Supreme Leader will give permission for bilateral talks with the United States if he deems it necessary, the director of the Strategic Research Center of Iran’s Expediency Council said on Wednesday. “The relationship with the United States is different than the relationship with other countries because the United States has always been hostile toward the Islamic Republic of Iran after the Islamic Revolution, which can be established through coordination by the Supreme Leader in the proper circumstances and if it meets national interests,” said Hassan Rohani, the Supreme Leader’s representative at Supreme National Security Council, whose secretary is Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator. “It is not the Supreme Leader’s view that Iran and the United States should not have negotiations and relations until the Day of Judgment. If there is a situation where the country’s dignity and interests are (preserved) and served, he will give permission for dialogue and relationship as… thematic negotiations have been held between the two countries on issues related to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the nuclear (issue),” added Rohani, a former chief nuclear negotiator. Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has previously said that the United States will receive an appropriate response in regard to its proposal for direct talks with Iran if it revises its illogical attitude in practice. He has also said that the United States can show its goodwill by refraining from tyrannical and malevolent actions, respecting the rights of the Iranian people, refraining from interference in Iran’s internal affairs, which was obvious in the political unrest that occurred after the presidential election of June 2009, and refraining from incendiary actions in the region.