Iran's supreme leader rules out broader engagement with US

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke today, Aug. 13, to ambassadors, foreign diplomats and officials from Iran’s Foreign Ministry. He welcomed new Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and said he hoped that Abadi would convene a new government. He also said that while he supports the continuation of the nuclear talks, bilateral talks between the United States and Iran in the nuclear negotiations are not only pointless, but can cause "harm."

According to Khamenei.ir, in response to President Hassan Rouhani’s recent speech in which he said Iran would engage with the world, the supreme leader said, “There are two exceptions in this: the Zionist regime and America.” He explained, “Relations with America and negotiations with this country — other than on specific matters — not only do not have any benefit, but have harm. And what wise person would pursue something without benefits?”