Iran's supreme leader has rejected a proposal for direct talks about its nuclear program with the United States, saying negotiations will not solve anything.
Iranian Entities Facing Sanctions for Censorship Links
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)
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Government agency in charge of broadcasting
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Produces several television and radio channels
Iranian Cyber Police
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Blocks content the government finds objectionable, monitors e-mail and text messages
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Arrested a blogger for reportedly posting anti-government comments
Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA)
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Enforces government requirements to filter Internet content
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Blocks hundreds of websites to prevent access to foreign news agencies
Iran Electronics Industries (IEI)
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Produced system Iran uses to monitor text messages
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Offers other services related to jamming an eavesdropping
Source: U.S. Department of Treasury
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement posted on his website Thursday that the U.S. wants to talk while threatening to punish Iran, and that his country will not be intimidated.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said during a security conference on Saturday in Munich that the United States is open to directly engaging Iran if it is serious about negotiations.
The supreme leader's message comes a day after U.S. sanctions targeting Iran's oil industry went into effect. The White House has pledged to continue to pressure Iran as long it seeks to develop a nuclear weapon and violate human rights.
Some Western nations, including the U.S., believe Iran is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful.
Iran and the so-called P5+1 contact group - the United States, France, Russia, China, Britain and Germany - are set to hold a new round of talks about Iran's nuclear program later this month in Kazakhstan.