Iran will not give in to “bullying” at the negotiating table with world powers over its disputed nuclear programme despite new economic sanctions, its supreme leader said on Tuesday. The West “keeps saying pressure against Iran is aimed at forcing the Islamic republic to return to the negotiating table” about the nuclear programme, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in remarks carried on state television. “But when did we leave the table that now we need to return?” he asked during his visit to the northeastern province of North Khorasan. “Their real objective is (forcing) the Iranian nation to surrender to their bullying at the negotiating table… (but) you are too weak to bring Iran to its knees,” said Khamenei. His remarks came a day after the European Union toughened sanctions against Tehran, targeting its dealings with Iran’s banks, shipping and gas imports and banning trade in metals. Without directly mentioning the sanctions, Khamenei accused the European leaders of seeking to bully Iran.
