Tehran: Iran's top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that that he would prefer a no deal with major powers on the Country's nuclear programme rather than the one which compromises with national interests.
His comments is considered crucial as it has come for the second time amidst the sidelines of a security conference between US secretary of state John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, in a bid to gear up the efforts for a lasting nuclear accord.
According to the Khamenei.ir website, the Iranian leader said, "I agree with a deal that can take place but I do not agree with a bad deal,"
"It's better to have no agreement than one that goes against our national interests." The website mentioned.
"The Americans keep reiterating that it's better to have no deal than a bad one. I fully agree with that," he told air force commanders.
Although the day-to-day administration and policy making is left to President Hassan Rouhani and his government, but Khamenei, who has the final say on all matters of state in Iran, periodically speaks out on the nuclear talks.
The lifting of western sanctions imposed over Iran's nuclear programme is among the top priority of Rouhani's government.
Khamenei, however, has drawn a certain line for the concessions that Rouhani can make.
Zarif echoed Khamenei's views after meeting Kerry in Munich on Sunday.
"I don't think if we don't have an agreement it will be the end of the world. We try, we fail," he said.
