Iran Restricts Media on U.S. Talks

Sat May 25,11:09 AM ET

By BRIAN MURPHY, Associated Press Writer

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - In a bold move against reformers, Iran's hard-line judiciary banned the media Saturday from making any mention about prospects for talks with the United States.

The order emphasized that all foreign policy decisions are directed by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose backers face growing resistance from groups seeking a more moderate outlook.

Conservative forces have closed dozens of pro-reform publications in recent years. But the latest decree marks the first time a specific issue has been declared off-limits and subject to criminal prosecution.

The decision, reported by the official Islamic Republic News Agency, apparently seeks to muzzle debate about possible contacts with Washington. Lawmakers and leading reformists have openly discussed whether to end the diplomatic chill dating back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

"Reports and references about opening talks with the United States — considering the ban on talks by the supreme leader — is a crime," the judiciary said in a statement.

It added that media reports "inconsistent" with Khamenei's views "disturb public order, harms the authority of the establishment and undermines and pillars of the state."

The announcement did not specify penalties for violators.

The United States broke ties with Iran after the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in 1979. It also considers Iran a sponsor of international terrorism. A State Department report on Tuesday called Iran the most active terrorism state for its backing of Palestinian militants.

At the same time, however, the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee met to hear "expert views" — from both reformists and conservatives — on the complexities of Tehran-Washington ties.

The group plans another session in early June. But it has been thrown into doubt by the judiciary's declaration that only Khamenei can set such policies.

"He is the one who will decide on holding talks or not holding talks with America or other countries," the judiciary statement said.

On Wednesday, Khamenei called any overtures to the United States "treason and stupidity."

But other influential voices are starting to question the unlimited power of the Khamenei-led theocracy.

"This revolution said that we want an Islamic republic not an Islamic dictatorship," reformist President Mohammad Khatami (news - web sites) said on Wednesday.

One of Khatami's top aides, Behzad Nabavi, told the Nowruz newspaper Saturday that Iran should seek "normal relations" with all countries except Israel.

Many reformists believe the issue of Iran-U.S. relations should be decided by a referendum.