Ayatollah Khamenei: If The Sanctions Are Not Lifted, Then Will Be No Deal

KABUL: (Middle East Press) The Leader of the Islamic Revolution then noted: “If the sanctions are not lifted, then will be no deal. Therefore, this issue must be clarified.”

Referring to extensive efforts and massive propaganda launched by the arrogant front to impose its literature and fake terms on officials and decision-makers and policymakers of countries, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “In the literature of the hegemonic system, such concepts as terrorism and human rights have their own specific meaning and in this literature, incessant six-month attacks on people of Yemen and the killing of innocent people in Gaza do not amount to terrorism, and the suppression of people of Bahrain due to their call for the right of vote is not considered as violation of human rights.”

“In the literature of the hegemonic system, the legitimate defense by the resistance forces in Lebanon and Palestine [against Israel] is considered as terrorism but actions by despotic countries, [which are] close to America, in the region, are not against human rights,” said the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Ayatollah Khamenei went on to note: “In this literature, assassination of nuclear scientists, to which Zionists have almost obviously confessed, and in which some European countries have also admitted to their supportive role, is not considered as terrorism.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution emphasized that fabrication of such concepts and expecting everyone to speak within the framework of this literature is a clear sign of hegemony and despotism, saying: “On the opposite, the Establishment of the Islamic Republic adheres to a system of Islamic thinking which still has attractiveness and freshness for the world despite the passage of so many years [since it was introduced.”

Outlining the elements of the system of Islamic thinking, Ayatollah Khamenei mentioned the negation of injustice and arrogance and despotism, as well as national and Islamic dignity and intellectual, political and economic independence as the major components of this intellectual system. Regarding the significance of independence and its role in the promoting self-confidence and progress among a nation, the Leader said: “Independence is a [very important] part of freedom. Therefore, those who negate independence are in fact opposed to freedom.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said Islamic lifestyle, innovation and synergy and national unity are other elements of the system of Islamic thinking and pointed out: “During the past 36 years, the Iranian nation – as a result of moving within the framework of this intellectual system – has been able to make significant progress despite plenty of obstacles.”

“One must not be duped by the enemy as a result of its smile or its probable short-term assistance on a certain issue, but we must always be vigilant to find out about what the enemy’s plotting and scheme are,” the Leader said.

Ayatollah Khamenei once again reiterated that the enemy and global arrogance are not an imaginary issue, but a fact whose biggest manifestation is the US government and Zionist economic cartels and companies that support it.

Referring to debates in recent days about the role of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) in the examination of JCPOA, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Regarding the legal aspects of this issue and its exigencies, legal experts and pundits must give their opinions, but generally speaking, I believe and I have told Mr. President [Hassan Rouhani] that it would not be in the interest [of the country] to sideline the Islamic Consultative Assembly in the issue of the examination of JCPOA.”

Underscoring the necessity of the involvement of the Majlis in the examination of JCPOA, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “I have no recommendation for the Majlis on how to examine [JCPOA] or whether they should ratify or reject it. It is the representatives of the nation who must made a decision [on this issue.”

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the six countries negotiating with Iran and the role of the United States among these six countries, saying: “In fact, our main opposite side is the American government, but the American officials speak very badly and a decision should be made about such rhetoric.”

Referring to US officials’ remarks on maintaining the framework of anti-Iran sanctions, the Leader said: “If the framework of the sanctions is to remain in place [then] what did we negotiate for? This is completely against the reason behind the Islamic Republic of Iran’s participation in the negotiations, because the goal of the talks was the removal of the sanctions.”

“If throughout the talks, we backed down in certain cases and gave certain concessions it was mainly for the sanctions to be lifted. Otherwise, there would be no need for us to take part in the negotiations and we could continue our work and could increase the number of our centrifuges to 50,000 or 60,000 from the 19,000 centrifuges that we have in a short time, and continue 20-percent [uranium] enrichment, and speed up research and development as well,” said Ayatollah Khamenei.

Addressing Iranian officials, the Leader said: “Don’t say that the Americans make these remarks to convince their domestic rivals. Of course, I believe that there is real infighting in America and they are at odds and the cause of this discrepancy is clear to us; but what is said officially also needs a response and if no response is given, the other party’s words will be taken as true.”

Referring to US officials’ remarks about the suspension of sanctions, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “It was not our issue from the very beginning. We insisted that the sanctions must be lifted and not [be merely] suspended.”

Ayatollah Khamenei added: “Of course, my view was the immediate lifting of the sanctions, but our friends here, somehow explained this issue [to me] and I did not oppose, but the sanctions must be lifted. If the sanctions are to be suspended, the actions we are supposed to take will be limited to the level of suspension and will not [amount to] a fundamental measure on the ground.”

“Of course, the opposite party says lifting of some sanctions is not in control of the American government. We also say that the same sanctions that are in control of the American government and European governments must be lifted.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said another part of bad remarks made by US officials was totally irrelevant to the issue of nuclear agreement, adding: “The leaders of America speak about Iran similar to the Britons in the 19th century and it seems that they are two centuries behind the world and history. The world has changed and superpowers no longer have the power and capability and ability to do what they used to do; and on the opposite side, is the Islamic Republic with its known and unknown capabilities, which will become known in time of action, and Iran is not like an undeveloped state, which they could talk to in any way they wanted.”

Referring to one of the interventionist remarks made by Americans, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “The American officials say ‘we expect the Islamic Republic’s officials and government to do something different’.”

He added: “In their view, something different is that the Islamic Republic do something different from the past and cross [the line of] Islamic values and stop sticking to Islamic instructions, but such a thing will never happen and neither the administration, nor the Majlis, nor officials will absolutely do such a thing and [even if] someone wanted to do such a thing, people and the Islamic Republic Establishment would not allow them.”

Elucidating one of the issues expected by Americans, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Among America’s policies in the region is complete annihilation and eradication of the forces of resistance and full domination over Syria and Iraq, and they expect the Islamic Republic to enter this framework, which such a thing will never happen.”

Referring to another instance of provocative remarks by US officials, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “They (American officials) said the JCPOA has offered American with some opportunities both inside Iran and outside Iran and in the region.”

Ayatollah Khamenei told officials in the Administration and other organs: “The officials in the Administration and in various organs should by no means let the US push ahead with this opportunism inside [Iran] and they should also make efforts to deny the US these opportunities outside the country, because the more they managed to realize these opportunities [for themselves], certainly the more will be humiliation, suffering, and backwardness of nations.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution reaffirmed his insistence on the full ban on negotiations with the United States on any issue except for the nuclear issue, in his meetings with foreign policy and other Iranian officials, saying: “The reason for his opposition is America’s orientations, which stand exactly opposite to those of the Islamic Republic.”