Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the Islamic Republic will not hold talks with the US or other extra-regional countries about its regional presence.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting in Tehran on Thursday with a group of eulogizers on the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad’s daughter, Hadhrat Fatemeh (PBUH), which is designated as the national Women’s Day in Iran.
“While American has a corrupt and seditious presence everywhere, it keeps creating doubts about Iran’s presence in the region. Do we have to get America’s permission for presence in the region?”
The Leader noted, “In order to be present in the region, should we negotiate and hold talks with regional governments or with you? Anytime we wanted to be present in America we will hold talks with you!”
Answering to some European officials, who had indicated their willingness to negotiate with Iran over its presence in the region, Ayatollah Khamenei repeated the above point, saying, “What has this issue to do with you? Is this region our region or yours? What are you doing in the region? We make arrangements with regional nations and have made those arrangements and have gone forward and will continue to go forward.”