Iran’s supreme leader threatens nuclear talks walkout

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, vowed on Wednesday that his nation would leave nuclear negotiations if it feels threatened by America’s armed forces.

{mosads}“Recently U.S. officials threatened to take military action against #Iran,” Khamenei tweeted.

“What does negotiations mean under ghost of a threat?” he asked.

“U.S. need for the #talks – if not more – is not less than #Iran’s,” Khamenei wrote.

“Negotiators should observe red lines & tolerate no burden, humiliation & threat,” he added.

Khamenei said Tehran does not need the economic relief the U.S. is offering in a potential deal over its nuclear arms research.

The pact would lift sanctions on Iran in return for greater restrictions on its nuclear programs.

“Many foreign officials said if sanctions against #Iran were put on other countries, they would’ve been destroyed but they didn’t undermine Iran,” Khamenei tweeted.

The supreme leader also mocked the Obama administration’s struggles with the civil war in Yemen. U.S. efforts in the region, he argued, had not restored stability in the Middle East.

“U.S. has been disgraced,” he said.

“Supporting those who attack #women & #children in Yemen & destroy #Yemen’s infrastructure ruin U.S. image in the region,” Khamenei said of American support for ousted Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

Khamenei closed with a parting shot at U.S. race relations. Police action towards minorities, he said, exposed the hypocrisy of American human rights.

“In the world of deception, the most racist govts. become flag-bearers of human rights,” Khamenei posted alongside a video documenting alleged law enforcement abuses in the U.S.

Khamenei’s criticisms come as diplomatic talks between Iran and the West resume over Tehran’s nuclear program. The two sides are wrangling for a final agreement due June 30.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday announced he would move later this week on legislation allowing Congress to review any final Iran deal.

Should it pass, lawmakers could vote on whether they approve of the Obama administration’s potential agreement with Iranian leadership.