TEHRAN -- A member of the Guardian Council, Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi, in Qom on Sunday criticized advocates of the idea of holding talks with the United States.

Speaking on the second day of the annual, nationwide memorization, recitation and translation of the Holy Qoran competitions, Yazdi said that holding talks under the current state of U.S.-Iran bilateral relations will be detrimental to the interests of the Islamic Republic.

He said that it is impossible to have a just relationship with the U.S., which has accused Iran of forming part of an "axis of evil" and has approved a billion-dollar fund to topple the Islamic Republic, IRNA reported.

Yazdi, pointing to constitutional provisions which oppose dictatorship or governments with hegemonic tendencies, he said the Islamic Republic of Iran should avoid ties with these states.

Alluding to individuals interested in restoring bonds with Washington, the official referred to the Leader's opinion to the effect that these people are either not familiar with the country's policies or are cowering to U.S. threats.

The former head of the Judiciary further referred to the significant success and progress achieved by the country in the scientific and military fields as the positive results of cutting off ties with America.

Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei blasted the idea of holding talks with the United States, saying it is "treason and stupidity" to even attempt to hold such talks.

"Those who are raising the subject of holding negotiations with U.S. officials know nothing of politics or dignity," he said in a speech broadcast to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the liberation of the city of Khorramshahr, occupied by Iraqi forces for three years during the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-1988, IRNA reported.

Washington is surreptitiously trying to get its soiled hands on Iran and through cultural, economic, and political means impose once again its past influence, said the Leader.