Iran’s supreme leader warns against negotiations with US

In the speech to Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders, Khamenei did not elaborate what the threats to Iran were or what “damaging moves” were made.

“Talk with the U.S. is not allowed due to its numerous losses and no gain”.

Khamenei’s comments put him at directly at odds with Rouhani, who is hopeful of normalising relations with the West and who has repeatedly said his government is ready to negotiate “with anyone” to resolve regional issues.

In the wake of deal, Mr. Khamenei said it wouldn’t open the door for the U.S.to impose on Iran politically, economically and culturally.

Mr. Khamenei didn’t indicate whether the ban on talks with the US would affect implementation of the nuclear deal. While saying that Iran’s negotiators were “vigilant”, Khamenei added that the USA side took chances to act against Iran’s national interests.

The July deal curbs Iran’s nuclear programme in return for sanctions being lifted.

“Talks with the United States are forbidden for the considerable harm they do and the good they never do”.

Hundreds of Iranian troops have arrived in Syria since the end of September to participate in a major ground offensive alongside fighters from Hezbollah and with air support from Russian Federation.

Khamenei often invokes an unspecified “enemy” when talking about Western powers, particularly the United States and Israel, which he suspects of plotting to overthrow the Islamic Republic.

“On and off the record, it was an accident”, Zarif said in an interview with New Yorker on Tuesday. “But everything I do costs me at home, so this is not an aberration”.