Iran's supreme leader on Tuesday said the US approach toward his country has been in contradiction with the slogan of bringing 'change' to its policy. “The Islamic Republic of Iran decided from the very beginning not to prejudge and to instead consider the slogan of 'change'. But what we have witnessed in practice during this period of time has been in contradiction with the remarks that have been made,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Iranian students on Tuesday, according to Press TV.

He added that the US was seeking its own predetermined results from the talks. “On the one hand, Americans talk of negotiations. On the other hand, they continue to threaten and say the negotiations must have our desired results or we will take (punitive) measures.”

The Iranian leader however reiterated that his nation will not bow to any conditions which would undermine its nuclear rights. “If anyone intends to violate the rights of the Iranian nation, the nation will firmly stand up to them and will make them kneel down.” Ayatollah Khamenei added that as long as the US wanted “to turn back the time and seek dominance over Iran”, it could by no means compel the Iranian nation to retreat.

© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)