Supreme Leader: What change? When US military strike against Iran still on table!

Source: Press TV, 21-03-2009

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution says the US has shown no sign of a real change in its hostile attitude toward the Iranian nation.

"They congratulate Iranians on the New Year but at the same time they accuse Iran of supporting terrorism and seeking nuclear arms," Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei said on Saturday addressing masses of people in the holy city of Mashhad on the occasion of Nowruz (the Iranian New Year).

"They tell us to come and sit at the negotiating table. Under the slogan of change, they say let's mend the ties. Where is the change? Clarify this for us."
The Leader's remarks came a day after US President Barack Obama addressed the Iranian nation and leaders in a videotaped message on the occasion of Nowruz.

In the message released on Friday, President Obama said he was ready to bring 'new beginnings' to the relations with the Islamic Republic, promising 'constructive ties' with the country.
The message echoed US old accusations against Iran, urging Tehran to abandon what Washington considers as Iran's effort to sponsor terrorism throughout the world.

The Leader reiterated that the US has shown no sign of changing its policy in practice, adding Washington has only changed its 'tone' on Iran.
"Have you released the frozen assets of the Iranian nation? Have you lifted sanctions against us? Have you stopped spreading allegations against us?"

Ayatollah Khamenei said that US initiated the hostile policy since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and our nation will never forget that it has been mistreated.
"The fist thing that America did on its side was to provoke those opposing the Islamic Revolution and as well as supporting divisive measures and terrorist acts," the Leader said, adding Washington has left a trace in any part of the country where a divisive act was initiated and is still going on.
Ayatollah Khamenei also condemned the US support of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in the war with Iran which dragged for eight years and Washington's silence over 'crimes' committed by Saddam including the chemical bombardment of Iran by the Iraqi dictator.

"Saddam Hussein could not have attacked Iran if Washington had not given him the green light."
Ayatollah Khamenei also criticized the US harsh tone on Iran over its nuclear program.
"They have threatened our country in different situations. They have constantly threatened Iran with attack. They say we have a military strike [against Iran] on the table."
The Leader added the Iranian nation will be neither 'deceived' nor 'intimidated' by the US threats.
Ayatollah Khamenei also took a swipe at Washington for downing Iran's passenger plane in 1988 by a US warship in which all 290 people on board were killed.
"You change. We will change too," the Leader concluded, adding that the US change of policy must be 'genuine'.

Iran and the US have had no diplomatic ties for thirty years after the Islamic Revolution toppled a US-allied monarch in the country in 1979.
Since then, the US has imposed different sanctions against the country for allegations including sponsoring terrorism and pursuing a military nuclear work.