Iran FM: Direct Talks With US ‘Possible’ With Khamenei’s Approval

Decisions on Comprehensive Talks Up to Supreme Leader

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has confirmed that it is possible his nation may hold talks with the United States, saying that such a decision would be entirely up to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“Comprehensive political talks are within the powers of the exalted supreme leader,” Salehi noted. Khamenei has not commented on the possibility yet, but other officials have come out either for or against such talks.

The US hasn’t confirmed whether or not it would go along with bilateral talks either, but has been in talks with other P5+1 nations about the prospect of issuing assorted demands to Iran in the event talks begin.

Iran’s spy agency has endorsed talks, saying that diplomacy is necessary to move out of the current crisis. Other officials have warned that the talks are a waste of time so long as the US position does not change.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.