Hands Off the People of Iran

As  Hopi predicted, the so-called “5+1 talks” in Baghdad have not been able to resolve the stand-off between Iran and western imperialism. Both sides cannot afford to “lose face” and are pushing towards war for their own reasons. For some background on this, see this article by Yassamine Mather: ‘Imperialism finds new pretext for threats’.

Worryingly, even before the talks had started, UK ministers were already discussing how to get involved in an attack on Iran.

Hopi condemns the drive towards war and supports all those who are fighting against the theocratic regime. We campaign for the empowerment of the women, students, workers and unemployed in Iran – the only ones who can bring real democracy, from below.

Here a news report from the Press Association:

Iran rejects nuclear curb proposals

Iranian negotiators have rejected proposals by six world powers to curb Tehran’s nuclear programme. Instead they demanded answers to their own counter-offer meant to alleviate concerns about the Islamic Republic’s ability to build atomic weapons.

The stance underscored the difficulties facing the nuclear talks as both sides stake out their terms and agendas for a second day in the Iraqi capital. Still, the negotiations did not appear in danger of collapse. Envoys added extra hours to their meetings as a sandstorm closed Baghdad airport.

Proposals for another round next month in Geneva also met with resistance from Iran, which is pushing for a venue not considered supportive of Western sanctions. Talks were expected to wrap up within hours.

The open channels between Iran and the six-nation bloc – the five permanent Security Council members plus Germany – are seen as the most hopeful chances of restoring relations between Washington and Tehran in years. They also could push back threats of military action that have shaken oil markets and brought worries of triggering a wider Middle East conflict.

Saeed Jalili, Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, demanded an overhaul to the plan put forward by the world powers after the Baghdad talks began. An Iranian diplomat involved in the discussions said the package falls far short of a compromise.

Iran went into the talks seeking that the West scale back on its sanctions, which have targeted Iran’s critical oil exports and have effectively blackballed the country from international banking networks.

Mr Jalili conveyed his concerns in a private meeting with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who is formally leading the talks. Mrs Ashton’s spokesman, Mike Mann, called the negotiations “tough,” but said that “some progress was made.”

At the heart of the issue are two different proposals. On one side is an incentive package by the six-nation group – the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany – that seeks to halt the most sensitive part of Iran’s nuclear fuel production.

Iran, in turn, wants the US and Europe to ease harsh economic sanctions on its oil exports in return for pledges to give wider access to UN inspectors and other concessions