MOSCOW, November 27 (RIA Novosti) - Tehran dismissed media reports about secret talks with Washington on Tuesday, saying that the alleged talks were an attempt by US politicians to encourage a bigger turnout in November presidential polls.
“As long as the US sticks to past policies, there will be no need for negotiations,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast was quoted by Press TV reported as saying.
“When fair conditions for talks are provided, we will welcome [negotiations], but we have not yet observed any fundamental change [in US behavior].”
In October, The New York Times said secret talks between US and Iranian officials that had begun early in Barack Obama's term as president had produced a provisional agreement. Iran had insisted the talks should wait until after the November presidential election, the newspaper said, attributing the information to a senior official in the Obama administration.
Iran’s precondition for negotiations with the US is respect for other nations rights, Mehmanparast said, adding that the Americans “are still delusional” and think they can impose their viewpoints.
The United States, Israel and some of their allies accuse Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program. Iran rejects the allegations, arguing that it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Russia has said it will scuttle any UN Security Council resolution that could be interpreted as allowing military action against Iran.
