Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is urging Iran's new administration to be cautious in its dealings with the United States, saying Washington is "not trustworthy."
Speaking to officials July 21, Khamenei was quoted as saying he has not prohibited talks with the United States.
But he said Washington’s stance does not make him optimistic about future interactions.
He added that Iran must decipher the goals of adversaries or it will suffer.
The supreme leader’s comments come about two weeks before Hassan Rohani, regarded by many as a relative moderate in Iran’s Islamic system, is due to be sworn in as new Iranian president following his landslide victory in the June presidential election.
Tehran and Washington remain locked in a standoff over Iran’s nuclear program. Iran denies allegations the program is aimed at developing nuclear arms.
The countries cut off formal diplomatic relations after the Islamic revolution of 1979 and the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and ensuing hostage crisis.
Speaking to officials July 21, Khamenei was quoted as saying he has not prohibited talks with the United States.
But he said Washington’s stance does not make him optimistic about future interactions.
He added that Iran must decipher the goals of adversaries or it will suffer.
The supreme leader’s comments come about two weeks before Hassan Rohani, regarded by many as a relative moderate in Iran’s Islamic system, is due to be sworn in as new Iranian president following his landslide victory in the June presidential election.
Tehran and Washington remain locked in a standoff over Iran’s nuclear program. Iran denies allegations the program is aimed at developing nuclear arms.
The countries cut off formal diplomatic relations after the Islamic revolution of 1979 and the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and ensuing hostage crisis.