Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday, Nov 20, Tehran would not take one step back "one iota" from its nuclear rights, on the day Iran begins a new round of talks with world powers on its disputed nuclear program, Reuters reported.

He said he would not intervene directly in the talks in Geneva, though he had set "red lines" for his negotiators.

He also said French officials were "not only succumbing to the United States, but they are kneeling before the Israeli regime" and said Iran would "slap aggressors in the face in such a way they will never forget it" without mentioning any specific country.