Khamenei Not Optimistic but Backs Iran Nuclear Talks

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei voiced his support on Sunday for Iran's talks with world powers over its disputed nuclear program while expressing pessimism about them.

"No one should see our negotiating team as compromisers," Khamenei, Iran's top decision-maker on its nuclear drive, was quoted as saying on his official website.

"I am not optimistic about the (nuclear) negotiations but, with the grace of God, we will not suffer losses either," he added.

A new round of talks between Iranian negotiators and representatives from the so-called P5+1 group of world powers is scheduled in Geneva for November 7 and 8.

The second meeting since moderate President Hassan Rouhani took office in August, the talks are aimed at curbing Iran's sensitive nuclear work in exchange for a relief from international sanctions strangling Iran's economy.

All decisions on the nuclear program, which the West suspects is masking a military drive despite repeated Iranian denials, rest with Khamenei.

"All the better if the negotiations bear fruit but if there are no results, the country should rely on itself," said Khamenei while criticizing the U.S. policy of approaching the talks on two fronts of sanctions and diplomacy.

"The Americans smile and express desire for negotiation; on the other hand, they immediately say that all options are on the table," he said. "We should not trust a smiling enemy."

Khamenei also described arch-foe Israel as an "illegitimate and bastard" regime, as he hit out at its alliance with the United States.

"The Zionist regime is an illegitimate and bastard regime," Khamenei said.

"The Americans have the highest indulgence towards the Zionists and they have to. But we do not share such indulgence," he said.