Iran Should Keep Its Distance From Us, Says Senior Cleric

One of Iran's most powerful clerics ?issued a stern warning against rapprochement with the US today and denounced supporters of the idea as "troublemakers" who belonged to "hated groups".

In a graphic display of hardline resistance to the restoration of US-Iran ties, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati ? chairman of the influential guardian's council and a vocal supporter of Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ? accused proponents of failing to appreciate the 1979 Islamic revolution and of harboring westernizing tendencies.

He also said the US feared Iran more than any other nation.

"The US does not have any stake in our country," Jannati, who is renowned for anti-western tirades, told Iranian journalists.

"I am warning some of society's most abandoned and hated groups who are intending to establish relations with the US, want to meet with Obama and give the US president a green light: do not go in this direction. You are just troublemakers. Do not damage yourselves more. Do not rely on America and do not hurt people."

His comments came after the Guardian revealed that President Barack Obama was considering sending a conciliatory letter to Iran's leadership aimed at improving ?relations between Washington and Tehran and clearing the way for direct talks.

Some Iranian analysts believe the move could contribute towards allaying Tehran's mistrust of Washington ? especially if accompanied by a US pledge not to seek regime change and a promise to lift economic sanctions.

But Jannati's outburst illustrates the bitter divisions a US attempt at conciliation would sow within Iran's theocratic ruling system.

It also bears out warnings from some that an American gesture is unlikely to result in an immediate transformation in relations.

Analysts say the strength of radical opposition to renewed ties makes a prompt positive response from Tehran unlikely.

Nevertheless, Amir Mohebian, political editor of the pro-fundamentalist Resalat newspaper, said a letter which ruled out a US attempt at regime change in Iran would be seen as "a good signal".

But he added: "It would not be enough. It would need actions, especially the removal of sanctions as well as a change in the US language towards Iran from the militaristic to the diplomatic."

He said the US should address any letter to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ? despite his known skepticism about restoring ties ? rather than to Ahmadinejad.

He also played down the need for an American apology for alleged past misdeeds, despite Ahmadinejad's demand for one yesterday.

"The letter should say that they [the US] understand the realities," Mohebian said. "It's not an apology. The US is a country and so is Iran. What is needed is mutual respect."