On the eve of critical talks between Iran and the 5+1 Powers, the Supreme Leader has led the regime in its insistence on a program for nuclear energy.
Ayatollah Khameneis office put out another series of tweets on Sunday setting out Tehrans requirement of self-sufficiency:
Iran and the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, Germany, France, China, and Russia) renew talks in Vienna on Tuesday, six days before the expiry of interim arrangements.
The central issue is the level and number of Irans centrifuges for uranium enrichment. The US is insisting on a reduction of Tehrans current operating stock of about 10,000 centrifuges, with no introduction advanced models. The Islamic Republic maintains it needs a significant expansion of output, with the Supreme Leader setting a goal of a 20-fold increase.
Khameneis office emphasized that Iran should not be excluded from the progress of peaceful development:
The Supreme Leaders message was reinforced on Sunday by Ali Shamkhani, the Secretary of the National Security Council, as he met senior Chinese officials:
Since the very first day, all peaceful nuclear activities of Iran have been conducted based on real needs and under the supervision of the [International Atomic Energy] Agencys inspectors.
Iran has acted upon its undertakings with good will and within the framework of the [interim] Joint Plan of Action and if the other side adopts a logical and non-political approach based on the realities on the ground, reaching an agreement in the nuclear negotiations will be possible rapidly.
Shamkhani reiterated fundamental demands, Annulment of all the cruel sanctions and maintenance of all the legal rights of Iran within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty should be envisaged in any agreement.