Americans Are 'Back-stabbers' and 'Tricksters' Says Iran's Leader after Senate Letter

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Republic-ans are unrepentant over the letter warning that a future president might revoke a nuclear deal with Iran. But Ayatollah Khamenei did not condemn the talks and experts say agreement remains possible

Iran’s Supreme Leader accused “back-stabbing” America of “tricks and deceptions” on Thursday as the clock ticked towards a deadline for a final agreement on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a caustic response to an open letter from 47 Republican senators, warning that a future US president might revoke any nuclear deal with Iran.

This message – furiously denounced by President Barack Obama – raised the possibility of Iran walking away from an agreement while deflecting the blame on to America.

"Of course I am worried, because the other side is known for opacity, deceit and back-stabbing,” said Ayatollah Khamenei in a speech to the Assembly of Experts, Iran’s most senior body.

"Every time we reach a stage where the end of the negotiations is in sight, the tone of the other side, specifically the Americans, becomes harsher, coarser and tougher. This is the nature of their tricks and deceptions.” » | David Blair, and Peter Foster in Washington | Thursday, March 12, 2015