Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei led the Friday Mass Prayers today in Tehran, reassuring worshippers that the country is not in crisis.
Iranian media report that Ayatollah Khamenei told worshippers today: “Little things should not be exaggerated; we must not insist that there is a crisis, some are trying to induce a crisis in the country, what crisis are they on about?”
He emphasized that all things are in good order in Iran and every aspect of life in the country is completely secure.
The Iranian leader stressed that in the past 32 years all the elections in the Islamic Republic have been “transparent and healthy” and he maintained that the coming elections will be the same.
He also commented on the actions of the Guardian Council in determining candidate eligibility. He stated that although some complaints about its decisions may be legitimate, once the Council has made a decision, it must be obeyed.
He dismissed foreign threats against Iran, saying: “The U.S. and others should be aware that we can reciprocate threats and sanctions in our own way and, whenever necessary, we will take similar actions.”
Ayatollah Khamenei also claimed that international sanctions are actually a benefit, in so far as they force Iran to concentrate on its domestic potential.
Regardless of the sanctions, he added, Iran will not retreat from its nuclear program.
