Iran’s Supreme Leader says Iranian foreign policy is based on long-term principles and does not change with the change in administration.
IRNA reports that in a meeting with the foreign minister, ambassadors and consuls on Sunday November 1, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The different administrations only have influence on the implementation techniques and initiatives of our foreign policy.
“All diplomatic tactics at all times should be in the service of advancing the principles of our foreign policy as indicated in the constitution, and our political representatives abroad should regard themselves as the firm defenders of the regime’s policies.”
Ali Khamenei rejected talks with the U.S., saying: “Americans are always trying to impose their interests over others rather than resolving problems.”
“We believe it is meaningless for a group of states to sit around and make decisions about the government of another country. This is a dangerous precedent, and no government will bow down to it,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
He added that the solution for Syria is elections, and the approach should be to cut off the arms and funding supplies to the parties in order to end the fighting and give the Syrian people a secure and peaceful context in which to hold elections.
The Iranian leader’s statements come two days after Iran participated in the Syrian peace talks in Vienna for the first time, accepting an invitation from U.S. and Russian leaders.
Ayatollah Khamenei said in his speech today: “The chief cause of insecurity in the region is the support of the United States for the Zionist regime and terrorist groups, and these policies are 180 degrees opposed to Islamic Republic policies.”
