Khamenei blocks Rouhani's openings to dialogue with the United States

 The Iranian president said he was open to new negotiations with the US leadership.  The road "is not barred" if they put aside "their cruel sanctions".  But the supreme leader closes every negotiation: "The negotiation does not bring benefits and causes damage", never question the values of the revolution and military capabilities.

Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Yesterday Iranian President Hassan Rouhani "opened" to possible talks with the United States, on condition that Washington cancels all sanctions against the Islamic Republic.  The possible turning point in relations between the two countries was immediatley blocked by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who denied any possible negotiations with the Americans.

In recent days, US President Donald Trump said he was "hopeful" about the possibility that Iran could sit at the talks table, to reach a new "agreement".  "I really believe - said the White House tenant - that Iran wants to make an agreement ... and I believe this is a possibility that can be realized".

The escalation of tension between the Islamic Republic and the Americans is of major concern  and fear among the international community.  The collapse of the Iranian currency and the growing difficulties of its economy  is the result of the escalation in tension triggered by US President Donald Trump’s 2018 decision to pull out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) ​​agreed by his predecessor, Barack Obama.

Yesterday in response, albeit indirectly, to Trump's words his Iranian counterpart Rouhani, spoke positively.  He stressed that "the road is not closed" if indeed Washington wants to negotiate and, in the event of a positive attitude from the Americans, Tehran is ready to re-enter the nuclear agreement reached with the world powers.

The president spoke at a government meeting and did not mention the United States by name.  He referred to Washington stating that "The road is not closed for them, whenever they put aside their cruel sanctions and return to the negotiation table that they left".

A few hours later the note of the supreme leader arrived, guiding the armed forces and having the last word in all the main religious, political and social questions of the country both at the level of religious and governmental establishment.  "We have also said this in the past - states a note published on its website - that we will not negotiate with America, because the negotiations do not bring benefits and cause damage".  He added that the Islamic Republic has no problem dealing with Europeans and other nations, but "the founding values ​​of the revolution" and "military capabilities" will never be called into question.