IRAN/EU: A leading hardline cleric said yesterday that Iran was not optimistic about its nuclear talks with the EU, insisting Tehran would not scrap atomic fuel work which Washington says could be used to make bombs.
"We do not have much hope for these negotiations," Ayatollah Ahmad Janati told worshippers at prayers in Tehran in a sermon broadcast live on state television.
"But the negotiating delegation, the other side and everybody should know that the [ nuclear] fuel cycle is our red line. . .
"If anyone wants to stand against it, our people will stand against them," said Ayatollah Janati, whose comments reflect the view of powerful hardliners within the Iranian leadership.
France, Britain and Germany begin their third round of talks with Iran in Geneva on Monday, which they hope will turn Tehran's temporary suspension of uranium enrichment into a permanent termination of the programme.
Washington says Iran's nuclear programme is a front to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies.
The EU has similar concerns and is pushing Iran to give up sensitive nuclear processes that could be used to make bombs in exchange for a package of political and economic incentives.
Ayatollah Janati talked of a conspiracy by the British members of the nuclear talks to make Iran give up its nuclear technology gradually and for little reward.
Ayatollah Janati heads Iran's Guardian Council which vets all legislation approved by parliament and candidates standing in national elections.
"They are masters of deception, cunning and trickery," he said, calling Britain "the father of the Great Satan" - the nickname for the United States used by Iran's hardliners.
"If they can, they will just give us a candy as sweetener," Ayatollah Janati said.
But Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Hassan Rohani, struck a more positive tone on Thursday.
He said recent comments by US President George W Bush accusing Iran of developing nuclear weapons and sponsoring terrorism reflected US concerns about progress being made in the Iran-EU talks.
"US leaders are worried about Iran reaching a final agreement with the EU," he said in remarks aired on state television.