Iranian leader approves extended nuclear talks

Iran’s supreme leader gave his implicit approval Tuesday for the extension of nuclear talks between his county and Western powers.

“On the nuclear issue, the United States and European colonialist countries gathered and applied their entire efforts to bring the Islamic Republic to its knees, but they could not and they will not,” said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to The Associated Press.

{mosads}It was his first statement on the talks since the negotiating parties agreed that they would extend the deadline to reach a deal until March 1, with details being decided by June 1.

Though Iran’s moderate president has been supportive of the talks, Khamenei has the final say in matters of state.

Republicans were outraged earlier this year when it was revealed that President Obama had secretly written to Khamenei expressing his hope for a deal.

Though there was initially some optimism that a deal would be reached by Monday’s deadline, over the weekend it became clear that the parties would not reach a deal in time.

At issue is Iran’s capacity for enriching nuclear material. The Iranians say they are just developing nuclear power, but Western countries are concerned the country will quickly be able to develop a nuclear weapon.