Top Iran security official retracts comments on talks with US
The powerful politician had faced piling pressure from hard-liners over suggesting that Iran could at some point directly engage with the United States if a “good deal” was within reach.
Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani has said he will “never endorse direct negotiations with the United States,” according to the hard-line daily Kayhan.
The paper reported Jan. 27 that the official had contacted its office to “explain” a controversial tweet he had posted on Tuesday.
“Any exchange with the Americans, if needed, will be done through indirect, non-paper channels,” the paper quoted the top security official as saying.
“Kayhan appreciates Mr. Shamkhani’s bravery and revolutionary candor,” the editorial wrote following the politician’s “clarification.”
