West uses Iran nuke issue to cover up own problems - Khamenei

West uses Iran nuke issue to cover up own problems - Khamenei

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday, June 3 accused the United States and its allies of lying about the threat of a nuclear Iran to cover up their own economic problems, state television reported, according to Reuters.

In a fiery address marking the 23rd anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, Khamenei also warned Israel against any attack on Iran, saying it would receive a "thunderous blow".

Khamenei - who has total command over Iran's nuclear policy - has publicly forbidden the development of nuclear weapons, but Western nations suspect that Tehran is developing in isolation each of the components required for an atomic bomb capability.

"What Americans and Westerners do is idiotic. They magnify the nuclear issue to cover up their own problems," Khamenei said, referring to the economic gloom in the U.S. and Europe. "They are deceitfully using the term nuclear weapons," he added.

Iran's supreme leader said Israeli talk of military strikes showed it felt vulnerable after the fall of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, a U.S. and Western ally, last year. "If they take any miscalculated action, they will receive a thunderous blow."

During his address, Khamenei said that sanctions were not hampering Iran and were "deepening Iran's hatred towards the West".

Iran maintains it will not give up what it says is its right to establish a peaceful nuclear program but has at times appeared flexible to curbing high-grade uranium enrichment that is the West's most pressing concern.

Another round of talks has been scheduled for June 18-19 in Moscow. Last week U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton indicated the meeting would be crucial because of Washington's need to see "concrete actions".

 Top stories
Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive.
In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million).
The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".
The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.
Partner news
---