Delegations from Iran and the 5+1 Powers arrive in Geneva on Wednesday to resume negotiations over Tehrans nuclear program.Talks in Geneva two weeks ago unexpectedly surged towards an interim agreement, only for France to raise objections that prevented signature of the deal.
Since then, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has tried to clear one of the major hurdles by saying that public recognition of Irans right to enrich uranium may not be necessary even though a deal would effectively do that by accepting Tehrans enrichment up to the 5% level.
However, there has been no open movement on Frances other chief objection, the construction of the Arak heavy-water nuclear plant. Critics of Arak, due on-line in late 2014, claim that its by-product of plutonium could be used in a militarized nuclear program.
Questions may also remain over the disposition of Irans stock of 20% uranium, even though Tehran has indicated it will suspend production in return for an easing of sanctions.
More signs of a possible accommodation were put out on Tuesday. Zarif put out a YouTube video calling on the 5+1 Powers to accept Irans dignity in the pursuit of nuclear energy, and President Rouhani spoke with British Prime Minister David Cameron by phone the first contact between Iranian and British leaders in a decade.
Aspokesperson for Cameron said:
The two leaders discussed the bilateral relationship between Britain and Iran welcoming the steps taken since President Rouhani took office, including the appointment of non-resident Charges dAffaires last week. They agreed to continue efforts to improve the relationship on a step by step and reciprocal basis.
On Irans nuclear programme, both leaders agreed that significant progress had been made in the recent Geneva negotiations and that it was important to seize the opportunity presented by the further round of talks which get underway tomorrow.
Supreme Leader Backs Nuclear TalksBut Then Strikes Out at US
Addressing 50,000 members of the Basij militia at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran on Wednesday morning, the Supreme Leader has backed the nuclear talks in Geneva under the slogan of heroic flexibility that he issued in September:
khamenei.ir@khamenei_ir
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Wherever there is a struggle against the #enemy, you should resist while your will & determination should overcome that of the enemy.
11:36 AM - 20 Nov 2013
khamenei.ir@khamenei_ir
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Some considered #heroic_flexibility as a violation of values while this notion refers to an ingenious move to reach the goal
11:39 AM - 20 Nov 2013
Ayatollah Khamenei then put out a message to Americans:
khamenei.ir@khamenei_ir
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We have no enmity with any country. We are an enemy of the system of #arrogance
11:47 AM - 20 Nov 2013
khamenei.ir@khamenei_ir
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Although #US govt. is arrogant and vindictive towards the Iranians but we are not an enemy of the American people
11:46 AM - 20 Nov 2013
Any gesture of conciliation was overtaken, however, as Ayatollah Khameneiidentified the >Global Arroganceas Washington, not only citing crimes against natives but also the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Japanese by atomic bombs, thedeaths of almost 300 Iraniansin an airplane shot down by the US Navy in 1988, and American support for Saddam Hussein including his use of chemical weapons in the 1980s Iran-Iraq War.
And the Supreme Leader had no kind words for the Israelis:
khamenei.ir@khamenei_ir
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It came from the mouth of the rabid dog of the region-#Israel-that Iran is a threat to the world!No,fake Israeli regime &allies are a threat
11:45 AM - 20 Nov 2013
The setting for the speech:
khamenei.ir@khamenei_ir
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????? ?????? ?? ?????#?????????? ?? 50 ????#?????????. ??? ????? ??????? ?? ???????? ?????http://farsi.khamenei.ir/photo-album?id=24524#196281
10:41 AM - 20 Nov 2013
Supreme Leader Leads Denunciation of Beirut Bombs
The Supreme Leaders office has used Twitter to denounceTuesdays double bombing in Lebanonthat killed at least 25 people.
Three Iranians, including the Cultural Attache, died in the attack by a suicide bomber and a car bomb near the Iranian Embassy in Beirut. Six guards, including the Lebanese head of security, were also slain.
khamenei.ir@khamenei_ir
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He who resorts to #terrorism is devoid of reasoning 20/7/94 #Beirut
6:51 PM - 19 Nov 2013
Ayatollah Khameneis office also left a cryptic message of blame:
khamenei.ir@khamenei_ir
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They boasted fighting terrorism; now they're terrorists accomplice,providing them w/ cash, arms to continue terrorist acts 31/10/12 #Beirut
7:16 PM - 19 Nov 2013
Even though it was claimed by a Lebanese Sunni group, the Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon said that Israel was behind the attack, . TheIranian Foreign Ministry echoed,The Islamic Republic of Iran [holds] the Zionists and their mercenaries responsible for this action.
President Rouhani has also put out statement:
Mehr News Agency@MehrnewsCom
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#Iran #Rouhani on #phone asks #Lebanon #Suleiman, identification&bringing 2justice the responsible ones4 twin #blasts @ #embassy in #Beirut
9:58 AM - 20 Nov 2013
By EA WorldView
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