“In relation to America, our policy is measured and clear and this policy does not change with the coming and going of individuals. Today is the election in America, some talk about who comes and who goes, what happens if this person comes and what happens if that person goes,” said Khamenei in a Tuesday video message on state television, commenting on a number of global issues. “It is true things will happen but it will have no bearing on us. I mean it will have no impact on our policy.”
Tehran and Washington have been at loggerhead since the Iranian revolution of 1979, when young revolutionaries and followers of Ruhollah Khomeini took over the US embassy and held dozens of diplomats and staff hostage for 444 days. The US government has imposed sanctions on Tehran for decades, accusing the country of seeking a nuclear bomb and perpetrating terrorism act or supporting terrorist groups across the world.
Khamenei, the ultimate decision maker in the country, praised the students who took over the US embassy in 1979 in his Tuesday address. “This was a symbolic gesture in fighting global arrogance, the American regime is an arrogant regime,” Khamenei added.
The recent US maximum economic pressure and the abandonment of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal has divided the country, with hardliners agitating for the country’s severing of ties with the West altogether, while President Hassan Rouhani's government have been in favor of maintain relations with the West.
Khamenei said that he is in favor of relations with other countries, but urged Iranians to look for the solutions to the economic crisis and other hardships Iranians have experienced in recent years internally. “We need to maintain contact with the outside world, what is important is not to seek a cure from others. Most of our problems are not connected to the sanctions, but are to do with inconsistencies. The latest price hikes are unreasonable and have no explanation. The officials should sweep these problems aside by working together.”
Many in Iran are eagerly waiting to see the result of the US election. The re-election of President Trump could bring further sanctions on the Iranian economy into place, while former Vice-President Joe Biden has taken a more conciliatory tone, stating that he would return to the 2015 nuclear deal.
Khamenei, who was speaking for the occasion of Prophet Mohammad’s birthday and the anniversary of the US hostage crisis, condemned French President Emmanuel Macron for his defense of caricatures of the Muslim prophet, describing it as a “conspiracy” where the language of human rights and freedom of expression are used as a ruse.
The supreme leader slammed France for allowing Iran’s controversial opposition movement, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK, MKO) to operate within its borders. Tehran says that MKO is responsible for hundreds of death in a series of bombings in the eighties.
Khamenei also stepped into the dispute in Nagorno-Karabakh, saying the disputed territory’s land belongs to Azerbaijan, and should be returned to their control. “The war between our two neighbours is a bitter incident and must end as soon as possible. The lands of Azerbaijan should be liberated and the safety of the Armenians should be secured.”
