Alwaght- Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has issued a stern warning to the United States over any move to violate a nuclear deal signed between Iran and six major world powers.
Speaking in Tehran on Tuesday during a meeting with the heads of the three branches of the Iranian government and other state officials, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the threats by some US presidential hopefuls to scrap last year’s nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, saying the Islamic Republic will strongly respond to any such move.
“We will not violate the JCPOA, but if the opposite side violates it - as US presidential candidates are currently threatening to tear up the JCPOA - if they tear up the JCPOA, we will burn it,” the Leader stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the US has so far failed to fulfill a major part of its obligations under the JCPOA but Iran has abided by its commitments such as regarding its 20 percent uranium enrichment as well as Fordow and Arak nuclear facilities.
“Under the JCPOA, the other side was duty-bound to lift the sanctions which it has not done. The banking issues have not been solved. The issue of the insurance of oil tankers is implemented at a limited level,” the Leader said.
“The oil payment and our assets which we have in other countries are not returned to us,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.
The Leader said emphasized that it is a “misconception that we [the Islamic Republic] can come to terms with the US. We cannot rely on illusions.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said Washington's issue with Iran is the very existence of the Islamic Republic which cannot be negotiated.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader warned of enemy plots to hinder Iran’s progress.
“The agenda of the enemy today is to stop or eliminate the capabilities of the Islamic Republic or at least to prevent their growth,” the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the importance of increasing the country’s capabilities.
“I have repeatedly reiterated that the country must grow in power and that we must promote our potentialities,” the Leader pointed out, adding that it is only then that Iranian officials can expect the nation to have peace of mind.
