Change of US policies prerequisite for talks

A senior Iranian lawmaker said Sunday change of U.S. policies toward Iran and Muslim's interests is the prerequisite for the initiation of talks with the United States, local media reported. "We have problems with the U.S. policies against the interests of the Islamic republic of Iran and the Muslim world, and as long as these policies do not change, no talks will be held with the U. S.," Chairman of National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iran's Majlis (parliament) Alaeddin Boroujerdi was quoted as saying by Press TV. "Before the recent U.S. presidential election, the U.S. president had expressed his willingness to hold negotiations with Iran through different channels," said Boroujerdi, adding that "We believe we cannot negotiate with the U.S., which hatches plots, adopts budgets, and imposes sanctions against our national interests." Earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said that recognition of the nuclear rights of the Islamic republic by the United States would build trust in bilateral relations. Attempts are recently underway by some Iranian expatriates and politicians to restore relations with Washington in order to alleviate the pressures on the country's economy, which has been hit significantly by the Western sanctions over the country's controversial nuclear program. The United States cut diplomatic relations with Iran in 1980 after a group of Iranian students captured some 60 U.S. diplomats in 1979 and 52 of them were held in captivity for 444 days.