U.S. State Department: We Do Not Intend to Respond to Every Statement by Iran's Leader

The spokesperson for the U.S. State Department stated that the country does not intend to start reacting to every statement made by the leader of Iran. This statement was made in response to reporters' questions regarding Ayatollah Khamenei's comments about not allowing interviews with researchers of Iran's nuclear program. On May 19, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a speech, referred to negotiations between Tehran and world powers to reach a final agreement regarding the nuclear program, stating, 'We will not allow any inspections by foreigners at any military sites.' He also added, 'They say interviews with nuclear scientists should be allowed; this means interrogation... I will not allow foreigners to come and talk to the scientists and dear children of the nation who have brought this knowledge to this point.' Hours later, Marie Harf, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, in response to a question about these statements, told reporters, 'The U.S. has agreed with Iran to examine the potential military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program through a process that includes access.' Harf further noted, 'Under the Additional Protocol, which Iran will commit to and has stated it will commit to as part of its agreement, the International Atomic Energy Agency will have access.' According to the U.S. State Department spokesperson, this is part of ongoing negotiations. Harf stated that if negotiating parties with Iran do not obtain the necessary assurances for access to potential military dimensions, facilities, or activities of the nuclear program, then problems will arise. Harf emphasized that she does not want to provide specific details about what the potential military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program include at this time. However, facilities, individuals, and information are all part of the negotiations. Iran and world powers are currently engaged in negotiations following the framework of an agreement reached in Lausanne, Switzerland, on April 2, aimed at drafting a final document regarding Tehran's nuclear program. This agreement seeks to provide comprehensive verification of the peaceful nature of the nuclear program while also finding a way to lift global sanctions against Iran.