Supreme Leader: US Threats Aim to Derail Iran’s Attention to Economic Progress

“The US wants to divert the Iranian officials’ attention from the real battlefield, that is the war of economy, by repeating the trick of military threat and war; officials should keep vigilant,” Supreme Leader said in Tehran on Wednesday, addressing a large gathering of Iranian people from East Azarbaijan province.

Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Sayyed Imam Ali Khamenei referred to the CIA, Mossad and the British spy agencies’ strenuous attempts and certain regional states’ spending their petro dollars for launching propaganda war against the Islamic Republic and Revolution, and said of course, there are certain problems in Iran like any other country but the enemy is attempting to disappoint people by ignoring the important tasks accomplished in the past 38 years after the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

Noting that the entire world has today admitted Iran’s might and decisive role, specially in the region, Supreme Leader said yet the US still speaks of the military option against Iran while some EU officials claim that Iran would experience war were it not for the nuclear deal; but “this is a sheer lie” and they want to divert the Iranian officials’ mindset from the war of economy to the military war.

Elsewhere, Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Sayyed Imam Ali Khamenei appreciated the Iranian nation’s massive participation in the February 10 rallies to commemorate the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, but meantime, warned the Iranian officials that this mass participation doesn’t mean that people are fully satisfied with their the state performance.

Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Sayyed Imam Ali Khamenei said there are still a number of problems, including recession, unemployment and inflation, which should be resolved by state officials.

Supreme Leader’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump threatened Iran that military options are “not off the table” in response to the country’s recent missile test.

A few days later, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underlined the US government’s recent threats against Tehran will in no way make any changes to the country’s defensive programs.

“Tehran is unmoved by the US’ threats and the Islamic Republic only relies on its own defense means amid hostile rhetoric, including hints of military aggression, by Washington,” Zarif wrote on his Twitter account.

The Iranian foreign minister’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump wrote on his Twitter account on Friday that “Iran is playing with fire.” Trump said that Tehran does not “appreciate how kind former US President Barack Obama was to them.

“We will never initiate war, but we can only rely on our own means of defense,” the Iranian foreign minister said.

Zarif, meantime, challenged Iran’s enemies to verifiably and sincerely declare the defensive nature of their military program.

“We will never use our weapons against anyone, except in self-defense. Let us see if any of those who complain can make the same statement,” he added.