Imam Khamenei: US, ’Evil’ Britain Can’t Be Trusted

Local Editor

Leader of the Islamic Revolution His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei said Tehran had no intention of cooperating on regional issues with its main enemies, the United States and "evil" Britain.

On Friday, tens of millions of Iranians took part in ceremonies across the nation to revive their allegiance to the ideals of the Islamic Revolution and honor the memory of the late founder of the Islamic Revolution.

Imam Khamenei said Tehran had no intention of cooperating on regional issues with its main enemies, the United States and "evil" Britain.

"We will not cooperate with America over the regional crisis," he said, adding that: "Their aims in the region are 180 degrees opposed to Iran's."

The Leader also accused Washington of not being committed to a nuclear deal reached between Tehran and six major powers, including the United States, in 2015 that aims to curb the country's disputed nuclear program.

Under the agreement, economic sanctions were lifted in January after Iran suspended sensitive nuclear work that the West suspects was aimed at creating a nuclear bomb. Iran denies seeking a nuclear bomb.

Following the end of the sanctions on Iran, the country has started to increase trade with the West. But some US sanctions remain and US banks remain prohibited from doing business with Iran directly or indirectly because Washington still accuses Tehran of supporting terrorism and human rights abuses.

"They use human rights, terrorism ... as pretexts to avoid fulfilling their commitments," Imam Khamenei said.
"If we remain strong and united and revolutionary, those who are trying to bully Iran and are against us will not succeed," he told a gathering to commemorate the anniversary of the death of the revolution's founder, Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini, in 1989.

Furthermore, the Leader touched on the history of US hostility with Iran, including its support for Saddam Hussein in the war on the Islamic Republic, US downing of an Iranian passenger plane, its attack on Iranian oil platforms and a CIA coup in Iran.

"Any individual or current which is working for Islam, if they trust America, they will be slapped in the face," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader said enmity with Iran stems from its revolutionary spirit. "The pressures which are being exerted are due to this revolutionary [spirit] because the enemies are afraid of it."

"Why they oppose the revolution, because the country was entirely under their control. Besides, it has become a source of inspiration for other countries" after the revolution," Imam Khamenei said.

The Leader described the Islamic Revolution, pioneered by the late Imam Khomeini, as the "outstanding and unique capital" of the Iranian nation, warning against any deviation from its true path.

"Wherever our movement was revolutionary, we succeeded but when we ignored [the revolution], we fell behind. If you change the course, Islam and the revolution will be slapped in the face."

Travelling from across the country, huge numbers of mourners converged on the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini in southern Tehran to pay their tributes.

Ali Ansari, an official in charge of organizing the ceremony at Imam Khomeini's mausoleum, estimated that some 1.3 million people gathered at the complex.

The Leader added that Imam Khomeini believed in God and the people, and considered himself a servant of Allah.

He further called on state officials, activists and the entire nation to preserve the "revolutionary spirit".

"All Iranians must remain revolutionary because the revolution belongs to the entire nation. It should not be confined to certain groups," Imam Khamenei said.

Imam Khamenei called for commitment to the basic principles and ideals of the Islamic Revolution, saying the nation must adhere to its independence from foreigners in all areas and stay vigilant in the face of the enemy's schemes.

"Pure and genuine Islam" must not be confused with the American version of this holy religion in the world today, the Leader warned.