Iran policy against ‘arrogant’ U.S. won’t change | World Defense

Iran policy against ‘arrogant’ U.S. won’t change

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Iran policy against ‘arrogant’ U.S. won’t change
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In this file photo released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader April 9, 2015, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a meeting with a group of religious performers in Tehran, Iran. (AP)

By Staff writer | Al Arabiya News
Saturday, 18 July 2015

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Saturday that a landmark nuclear deal with world powers "won't change" the country's stance toward the "arrogant" United States.

The remarks were made during a ceremony in Tehran marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which was broadcast live on state television

"The Americans say they stopped Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon," Khamenei said at Tehran's Mosala mosque.

"They know it's not true. We had a fatwa (religious ruling), declaring nuclear weapons to be religiously forbidden under Islamic law. It had nothing to do with the nuclear talks."

He said slogans of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" chanted at demonstrations in Iran this week supporting the Palestinian cause showed what Iranians think and "shook the atmosphere of the country".

Khamenei also said Tuesday's nuclear agreement would not alter Iran's support for the governments of Syria and Iraq nor its backing of "oppressed people" in Yemen and Bahrain, and the Palestinians.

"We have repeatedly said we don't negotiate with the U.S. on regional or international affairs; not even on bilateral issues. There are some exceptions like the nuclear program that we negotiated with Americans to serve our interests ... U.S. policies in the region are diametrically opposed with Iran's policies."

The supreme leader's comments reflected his longstanding position that Iran's engagement with the six powers was solely to reach a nuclear deal that was in its national interest.

He stressed that the deal with Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany was not yet law and would have to be carefully scrutinized.

"They really took pains and worked hard," Khamenei said of Iran's negotiating team.

"The text that has been prepared, whether it is approved or not, they have done their part and they should have their reward," he added.

As Iran's supreme leader, Khamenei has the final word on all policy matters, foreign and domestic, including on the nuclear deal.

In numerous speeches before this week's accord, he appeared ambiguous about the talks, consistently talking down the chances of success but at the same time praising Iran's negotiators as trustworthy and brave.

Iran has always denied seeking an atomic weapon, insisting its nuclear program is for peaceful energy and medical purposes only.


(with Reuters and AFP)

Last Update: Saturday, 18 July 2015 KSA 09:16 - GMT 06:16
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/18/Khamenei-policy-against-arrogant-U-S-won-t-change-.html
 
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