Discussions Regarding the Extension of the Iran Nuclear Talks

On Thursday, November 27th, 2014, Thomas Erdbrink of the New York Times reported on the Iran nuclear talks, namely discussing the seven month extension that was recently announced. And in the piece, the focused primarily on the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In the article, Khamenei was quoted as saying that ““I do not disagree with the extension of the negotiations, as I have not disagreed with negotiations in the first place…”. However, he was not without criticism of America, saying that ““America is a chameleon, and every day makes new statements,” he said in comments that were to be delivered to an audience of paramilitary Basiji forces, according to his website, Khamenei.ir. “It also says different things in public and in private.””

As Erdbrink rightly noted, the statements by Khamenei supporting the extension of the nuclear talks are very important, since the Ayatollah is the top power in Iran. While Iran does have elections, the candidates are vetted through the religious clerics, who also have the power to veto legislation in Iran. And while the President Hassan Rohani

It will be important for the international actors to come to an agreement so that tensions in the region and internationally do not escalate. As discussed, the situation with regards to discussions on nuclear weapons in Iran and the international community has existed for many years. Tensions are high, but if a deal can be reached, then it would improve the relationship between Iran, the United States, as well as many other countries in the international community.