Iran’s Khamenei says better no nuclear deal than a bad one

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that he would rather see no deal reached with major powers on his country’s nuclear programme than one that undercuts national interests.

His comments came as US Secretary of State John Kerry met Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif for a second time on the sidelines of a security conference in Germany, to ratchet up efforts for a lasting nuclear accord.

“I agree with a deal that can take place but I do not agree with a bad deal,” the Iranian leader said, according to the Khamenei.ir website. “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. “It’s better to have no agreement than one that goes against our national interests.”