Supreme Leader
Warns in Event of Zionist Attack, Tel Aviv Would Be 'Razed' (Kayhan, Islamic Republic of Iran)
According to
this news item from Iran's state-run Kayhan, Iran's
most influential politician and theologian, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei, has again warned Israel that it would be mistaken to attack Iran, and
has dismissed U.S. suggestion of direct talks with his regime, calling America
untrustworthy.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that if the
Islamic Republic's nuclear infrastructure comes under attack from the occupying
regime, it will destroy the Zionist cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa.
"At times, officials of the Zionist regime threaten to mount
an attack. But they know that if they make the slightest mistake, the Islamic
Republic will raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground."
The Leader dismissed the threat from Israel, describing it
as "too insignificant stand out among enemies of the Iranian nation."
And he repeated again that Iran does not want nuclear arms.
"We have told you many times that we are not after
nuclear weapons."
The Leader responded coolly to recent U.S. suggestions of direct
talks between the two countries, which have had no diplomatic relations since the
1979 Islamic Revolution and ensuing hostage crisis involving American diplomats
in Tehran.
"I am not optimistic about these talks. Why? Because past
experience shows that for the American officials, talks do not mean sitting
down to reach a logical solution ... What they mean by talks is that we sit
down and talk until Iran accepts their viewpoint. But while I am not optimistic
about their comments, I am not opposed either," the Leader said, adding
that the solution to the issue is "easily accessible" if only America
genuinely wanted an agreement.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that Washington had sent messages to
Tehran, sometimes in writing, saying it is willing to hold bilateral talks apart
from the negotiations with the five permanent members of the U.N. Security
Council plus Germany [P5+1].
He said the best way to resolve the standoff would be for
the West to recognize Iran's right to enrich uranium and agree to a monitoring
process to ensure it not be used for weapons.
"Iran only wants the world to recognize its right to
enrichment, which is its natural right."
Ayatollah Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters,
said there is no reason for Tehran to trust Washington, when Washington doesn't
trust Tehran.
"We have repeatedly told you that we are not after
nuclear weapons. You say you don't believe us. Why should we believe you? When
you aren't ready to accept an honest and logical remark, why should we accept
your words, which have been so often proven false?"
The Leader said that the U.S. wants the nuclear issue to
remain unresolved so it can continue to have basis for sanctions, which he said
have harmed, but not crippled, the Iranian economy.
"Yes, sanctions have had an effect. If they (U.S.) want
to be happy, let them be. ... Our economy suffers from the problem of being overly-dependent
on oil. ... We have to wean our economy off of oil dependence."
The Leader said Iran's struggle against sanctions over the
past year resembled a battle, and that the enemies had confessed to trying to
"cripple the Iranian nation."
"What has happened over the past year - we need to
learn a lesson," the Leader said, alluding to significant scientific and
military progress. "This vibrant nation will never be brought to its
knees."
Posted By Worldmeets.US
But Ayatollah Khamenei acknowledged that Iran had work to do
to ensure it meets the challenge of economic warfare being waged against it.
The Leader said beyond shaking off its dependence on oil exports, that the
government needs to adopt more astute economic policies.
The last 12 months have inflicted a heavy financial burden
on Iran's population. With inflation and unemployment soaring and the value of Iran's
currency halved since a year ago, the vast majority of Iranians have tightened
their belts for the Nowruz
celebration - the nation's most important holiday.
The consumption of traditional food and the purchase of new
clothing - central Nowruz traditions - have become a
great deal more expensive.
The government has set up subsidized local markets to try and
restrain food prices, and warned of heavy fines for those caught profiteering.
