Options Other Than Talks Costly for US
(FNA)- Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said the US needs a nuclear deal with Iran since its so-called other "options on the table" will be too costly for Washington.
"The reason why they have been saying for many years that they have some options on the table, but have never resorted to these options is that these options incur costs on them and they are afraid of the Iranian nation which is always present on the scene," Rahmani Fazli said, addressing a gathering in the Northeastern province of North Khorassan on Saturday.
He also warned that certain countries, including Saudi Arabia and some neighboring states, and the Zionists are opposed to the negotiations and attempt to create troubles every day to damage the nuclear talks.
His comments came after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei dismissed the US war rhetoric against Iran as empty and boastful remarks, but meantime, warned that Tehran would not negotiate under threat.
"This is not acceptable that the opposite side continues making threats simultaneous with the talks," the Leader said, addressing a public meeting with teachers here in Tehran in May.
He further noted the remarks made by two US officials in recent days who had alleged that military threats against Iran are still alive, and said, "Negotiation under the ghost of a threat is meaningless and the Iranian nation does not tolerate negotiation under the shadow of threat."
"First of all, you can't do a damn thing," Ayatollah Khamenei said in response to the two US officials, and added, "Secondly, as I had already stated during the term of the former US president, the era of hit-and-run attacks is gone and the Iranian nation will not let go anyone intending to make an aggression" against it.
Meantime, he said the US needed the nuclear talks, at least, as much as Iran does, and pointed out that Iran was willing to put an end to the sanctions, while the US officials need to leave a legacy behind as "they are deeply in need to make this claim that they have made Iran sit to the negotiating table and imposed certain points on it".
The Supreme Leader underlined that now everyone in Iran knows pretty well that the country's economic problems are not resolved through the removal of the sanctions, "rather resolving economic problems requires our own planning, will and ability, no matter the sanctions are in place or not".
"Of course, if the sanctions are removed, the economic problems could be solved more easily, but their resolution will be possible if the sanctions continue," he added.
The Iranian leader further reminded the country's team of negotiators once again to pay good heed to the redlines, "but never allow the other side to impose its will, exercise force, humiliate or threaten you".
US Secretary of State John Kerry in a charm offensive to rebuild ties with Israel over the Iran policy said recently that military action is still among possible options for Washington.