Khamenei Emphasizes No Change in Iran's Overall Policy Towards the US

On Saturday, the Leader of the Islamic Republic emphasized that negotiations and the subsequent comprehensive nuclear agreement will not change Iran's policy towards the United States "in any case" and that the two countries will not engage in "bilateral" and "regional" negotiations on various global issues. According to the IRIB news agency, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the Eid al-Fitr prayer sermon on July 27, referred to the "180-degree" difference in policies between Iran and the US, stating that the Islamic Republic will not abandon support for its "friends" in the region. He mentioned the "legal path" for ratifying the agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group, adding, "We expect those involved to carefully consider the national issue and what they present to the nation should be something they can present with pride before the Almighty God." Khamenei stressed that the Iran-P5+1 agreement, "whether ratified or not," will not allow "any misuse of it" or "damage to the fundamental principles of the Islamic system". He also stated that the Islamic Republic's "defensive capabilities and security perimeter" will be "maintained" and that Iran will "never submit" to what he called "the enemy's excessive demands". A day before Khamenei's remarks, Friday prayer leaders across Iran had called for adherence to the red lines set by the Supreme Leader when reviewing this agreement in the parliament and the Supreme National Security Council of Iran. Khamenei had previously announced a long list of red lines for Iran, including a prohibition on inspections of military sites, and stated that he does not accept "long-term limitations of 10 or 12 years" on Iran's nuclear program. Meanwhile, based on a law titled "Obligation of the Government to Preserve Nuclear Achievements and Rights" that was approved by the Iranian parliament and subsequently by the Guardian Council, the "results of negotiations" regarding Iran's nuclear program "must be presented to the parliament for compliance with the constitution and legal resolutions". In another part of his speech, Khamenei mentioned Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Palestine, Lebanon, and Iraq, stating, "Whether this text is ratified or not, we will not abandon support for our friends in the region." This statement comes after a senior Saudi official warned the Iranian government not to use the funds released after the lifting of sanctions to "fuel interventionist chaos". In this context, US Secretary of State John Kerry also stated that the US is helping its allies in the Middle East to defend themselves against any Iranian-supported actions against them. The Leader of the Islamic Republic also emphasized that there are no negotiations with the US on "various global issues", "bilateral" and "regional" matters. Khamenei added, "Sometimes we have negotiated in exceptional cases like the nuclear issue based on expediency; this has not been the only case, there have been previous instances that I have referred to in my public speeches." He noted that when the issue of ISIS arose in Iraq, the Americans requested cooperation through their ambassador in Iraq, which he opposed because "their hands are stained". Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported that Khamenei did not commit to cooperating with Washington in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) in response to a letter from President Barack Obama. Khamenei also referred to recent statements by American officials as "bravado" and stated, "You will never achieve the wish of submitting Islamic Iran." He added, "This gentleman said he can destroy the Iranian army; our elders used to say such things as boasts in foreign lands." Khamenei emphasized, "Of course, we do not welcome any war... but if a war occurs here, the one who will emerge defeated will be the aggressive and criminal America." He reiterated that "research and development" in Iran's nuclear industry will continue, stating, "They... today brought it on paper and are signing that they have no objections; what does this mean other than the power of the Iranian nation?" US Vice President Joe Biden stated that there is nothing in the nuclear agreement with Iran that rules out military options against Tehran. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron also stated that the important nuclear agreement with Iran does not mean an alliance with Tehran.