(Tehran) The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Saturday that negotiating with the United States would not end the unrest that has rocked the country for two months, because Washington will always demand more.
Authorities slam protests sparked September 16 by death of Mahsa Amini, arrested by vice squad for violating country’s strict dress code, as Western-sponsored ‘riots’ , especially by the United States.
“The problem is not four rioters in the street, even if every rioter, every terrorist must be punished […]. The battlefield is much larger. The main enemy is global arrogance,” Ali Khamenei said referring to the United States and its allies.
The highest figure in the Iranian state made this statement, broadcast by state television, when he received a delegation of young paramilitaries in Tehran on Saturday, on the occasion of the week of the Bassidji, a militia linked to the Guardians of the Revolution, the ideological army of the Islamic Republic.
“Some people tell us in the newspapers or on the internet that all you need to do to end the unrest, which started a few weeks ago, is to solve your problem with America and listen to the voice of the nation”, a- he launched.
“How to solve the problem with America? Will the problem be solved by sitting down, negotiating and getting a commitment from America? he wondered.
” Nope. Bargaining won’t solve anything. Our problem with America can only be solved by accepting to be held to ransom by this country,” he said.
According to Ali Khamenei, the United States demands, in order to put an end to hostilities, that Iran abandon its nuclear program, change the Constitution, confine its influence within its borders and close its defense industries. “No Iranian can accept such conditions,” he stressed.
He also attacked those who say that we must “listen to the voice of the nation”. “The enormous voice of the nation resounded on November 4 (in pro-government demonstrations), or during the funeral of (General Qassem) Soleimani (assassinated in January 2020). This huge crowd was the voice of the Iranian nation,” he said.
On Saturday, on the occasion of Bassidji week, President Ebrahim Raisi for his part visited a unit of these forces in Tehran, the Tasnim agency said.
“You had a brilliant performance in the fight against the rioters”, declared Mr. Raisi in front of the members of this unit.