Advertisement

Iran supreme leader won’t change US attitude

Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed to keep building the nuclear program.

Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed to keep building the nuclear program. Photo: Getty

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says that a landmark nuclear deal with world powers “won’t change” the country’s stance towards the “arrogant” United States government.

The remarks on Saturday were greeted by chants of “Death to America” at a ceremony in Tehran marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which was broadcast live on state television.

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.

Iran, major powers make nuclear deal
‘Nuclear deal ends manufactured crisis’
Hope for petrol price plunge

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

The agreement, within a few months, stands to give Iran relief from US, UN and European sanctions that have ravaged its economy.

In return, Iran has pledged to place curbs on its nuclear program for at least a decade to assuage western concerns that the Islamic republic has sought to develop an atomic bomb.

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

Khamenei restated that position Saturday, mentioning a fatwa he himself issued against any action seeking the bomb.

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

But he praised President Hassan Rouhani and Iran’s negotiators.

“They really took pains and worked hard,” Khamenei said of the team led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

“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.

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.