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Iran will respond to any military threat
Iran has its "own threats" to respond to any military attack or sanctions against its oil exports, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday.
"In response to threats of oil embargo and war, we have our own threats which will be implemented at the right time, if necessary," he said in a televised speech as he led the Friday prayers in Tehran.
His comments came amid heightened speculation that Israel — with or without US help — was contemplating air strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. The West has also ramped up sanctions aimed at severely curbing Iran's vital oil exports.
Khamenei, who spoke as part of events marking the anniversary of his country's 1979 revolution, focused on warnings by archfoe the United States that it was mulling "all options" — including war — to undercut Iran's nuclear program.
"They have threatened that all 'options are on the table'... Threats of war are detrimental to the United States, and carrying out a war would be 10 times more detrimental for that country," he said.
Khamenei also rounded on Israel.
"The Zionist regime is a cancerous tumor that must be cut out, and God willing it will be," he said.
The leader said Iranian intervention had already delivered two military victories against Israel: In 2006, when the Hezbollah in Lebanon linked to Iran survived a 33-day Israeli onslaught; and in 2009 when Hamas in the Palestinian territories faced Israeli action.
"From now on we will support any group that will fight the Zionist regime," he said, reiterating an oft-made line.
He also said that the country would continue its nuclear program, and warned that any military strike by the US would only make Iran stronger.
Khamenei also warned that Tehran would reveal a letter that it says US President Barack Obama sent the Iranian leadership in an attempt to end the nuclear stand-off. He said it shows that the Americans cannot be trusted. The White House has denied that such a letter exists.
Khamenei's remarks on Hezobllah and Israel conflict are a rare direct acknowledgment by an Iranian leader of Tehran’s intervention against Israel in armed conflicts. Iran has usually said in the past that it offers political support to Hezbollah and the Palestinian groups.
An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman said he wasn’t surprised by Khamenei’s remarks. “It’s the same kind of hate speech that we’ve been seeing from Iran for many years now,” Yigal Palmor said.
Khamenei also said that the US will suffer defeat and lose standing in the region, if Washington decides to use military force to stop the country’s nuclear program.
“Iran will not withdraw. Then what happens?” asked Khamenei. “In conclusion, the West’s hegemony and threats will be discredited” in the Middle East. “The hegemony of Iran will be promoted. In fact, this will be in our service.”
Both US and Israel have not ruled out a military option against Iran’s nuclear facilities, which the West suspects are aimed at developing weapons technology.
Iran has its "own threats" to respond to any military attack or sanctions against its oil exports, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday.
"In response to threats of oil embargo and war, we have our own threats which will be implemented at the right time, if necessary," he said in a televised speech as he led the Friday prayers in Tehran.
His comments came amid heightened speculation that Israel — with or without US help — was contemplating air strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. The West has also ramped up sanctions aimed at severely curbing Iran's vital oil exports.
Khamenei, who spoke as part of events marking the anniversary of his country's 1979 revolution, focused on warnings by archfoe the United States that it was mulling "all options" — including war — to undercut Iran's nuclear program.
"They have threatened that all 'options are on the table'... Threats of war are detrimental to the United States, and carrying out a war would be 10 times more detrimental for that country," he said.
Khamenei also rounded on Israel.
"The Zionist regime is a cancerous tumor that must be cut out, and God willing it will be," he said.
The leader said Iranian intervention had already delivered two military victories against Israel: In 2006, when the Hezbollah in Lebanon linked to Iran survived a 33-day Israeli onslaught; and in 2009 when Hamas in the Palestinian territories faced Israeli action.
"From now on we will support any group that will fight the Zionist regime," he said, reiterating an oft-made line.
He also said that the country would continue its nuclear program, and warned that any military strike by the US would only make Iran stronger.
Khamenei also warned that Tehran would reveal a letter that it says US President Barack Obama sent the Iranian leadership in an attempt to end the nuclear stand-off. He said it shows that the Americans cannot be trusted. The White House has denied that such a letter exists.
Khamenei's remarks on Hezobllah and Israel conflict are a rare direct acknowledgment by an Iranian leader of Tehran’s intervention against Israel in armed conflicts. Iran has usually said in the past that it offers political support to Hezbollah and the Palestinian groups.
An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman said he wasn’t surprised by Khamenei’s remarks. “It’s the same kind of hate speech that we’ve been seeing from Iran for many years now,” Yigal Palmor said.
Khamenei also said that the US will suffer defeat and lose standing in the region, if Washington decides to use military force to stop the country’s nuclear program.
“Iran will not withdraw. Then what happens?” asked Khamenei. “In conclusion, the West’s hegemony and threats will be discredited” in the Middle East. “The hegemony of Iran will be promoted. In fact, this will be in our service.”
Both US and Israel have not ruled out a military option against Iran’s nuclear facilities, which the West suspects are aimed at developing weapons technology.
