Cleric Urges Iranian N. Negotiators to Avoid Neglecting Enemy’s Hostility
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Tehran’s Provisional Friday Prayers Leader Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Movahedi Kermani called on the country’s team of negotiators engaged in nuclear talks with the world powers to be mindful of the enemies’ enmity towards Iran, particularly the US hostile attitudes.
Addressing a large group of Iranian worshipers here in Tehran on Friday, Ayatollah Movahedi Kermani described Washington’s standoff over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program as a mere pretext, and added, “Even if we retreat from the nuclear energy, the US will make up tens of (other) excuses.”
He also cautioned Iran’s team of nuclear negotiators to be aware of US age-old animosity towards the Islamic Republic.
He said the US has maintained its hostile nature, and stressed, “The US is the very same (country) that shot down our passenger plane with 290 passengers on board. The US is that same (country) that does not even get off its friends’ back, and spies on them.”
On July 3, 1988, Iran Air Flight 655 was on a routine flight from Iran's southern city of Bandar Abbas to Dubai when the US Navy's missile cruiser USS Vincennes shot it down, killing all 290 passengers onboard, including 66 children and crewmembers.
Earlier on Thursday, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei also warned about enemies' continued hostility towards the Islamic Republic, and called on the country’s officials to avoid neglecting enemies’ animosity.
“So long as the Islamic Establishment and the Iranian nation remain committed to the principles of Islam, the (Islamic) Revolution and (the country’s) independence, the enemies will not relinquish their hostility. Hence, the enemy should not be neglected,” Ayatollah Khamenei underscored in a meeting with chairman and members of the Assembly of Experts at the time.
“The arrogance front has deep hatred towards the Iranian nation and today everyone can see the depth of the enemies’ hatred and spite in their remarks,” the Leader added.
Ayatollah Khamenei, at the same time, stressed that for all its animosity, the enemy has been unable to confront the Islamic Establishment and the Iranian nation.
The Leader further stated that the American government is known at the international level as a criminal and a violator of human rights and in the US itself as a lying and hypocritical regime. “Today, the American people’s confidence in their own government is at its lowest level.”
“Therefore,” Ayatollah Khamenei added, “One should not feel afraid of such a disgraced government.”
