Iran's top leader rejects talks with U.S. to solve problems

TEHRAN, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday said any negotiation with the United States to solve the existing mutual problem is an "obvious mistake," official IRNA news agency reported.

"The United States seeks to restore its status in Iran as they enjoyed before the Islamic Revolution (in 1979), and they will not accept less than this," Khamenei said in a meeting with the Iranian Foreign Ministry staff in the capital Tehran.

"The United States has basic and fundamental problem with the (Islamic) establishment," Khamenei was quoted as saying.