Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, accused critics of Iran's missile program within the country of treason while defending the program. On Wednesday, April 11, during a meeting with a group of mourners, he stated: "To say that tomorrow's world is a world of negotiations, not missiles, if said out of ignorance, is ignorance; but if said knowingly, it is treason. If the Islamic system seeks technology and negotiation but lacks defensive power, it must retreat against any threatening country." Khamenei's remarks come after a recent tweet attributed to Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani sparked a wave of attacks from conservative media against him. This tweet, published last Wednesday, April 4, stated: "Tomorrow's world is a world of discourses, not missiles..." Conservative media harshly criticized this tweet, with political analyst Parviz Amini accusing Rafsanjani of "weakening the government's position" and "aggression." He wrote that Rafsanjani "creates legitimacy for the negative Western propaganda against Iran's missile program." However, Rafsanjani's office has not yet responded to these criticisms. Now, a week after this tweet, Khamenei has targeted its content. The Supreme Leader further stated: "The Islamic Republic must use all tools. I am not opposed to political dialogue, of course not with everyone; I agree with political dialogue on global issues. Today is a time for both missiles and negotiations." Recent missile tests by Iran have faced severe reactions from the United States and European powers. The U.S., along with France, Britain, and Germany, has called these tests a disregard for United Nations resolutions and has urged the Security Council to address them. According to these countries, the missiles tested by Iran are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, making them inconsistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2231. However, Iranian officials emphasize that Iran's ballistic missiles have a defensive nature and do not have the capability to carry nuclear warheads, and therefore their test launches do not violate the mentioned resolution.
Khamenei's Sharp Criticism of 'Aware' Opponents of Missile Tests in the Country
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei criticized domestic opponents of Iran's missile program, accusing them of treason while defending the program's necessity. This comes amid heightened tensions following a controversial tweet from Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and recent missile tests that have drawn international condemnation. The situation underscores the ongoing debate within Iran about its military capabilities and international negotiations.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Khamenei accused critics of Iran's missile program of treason while defending missile tests.
- Ali Khamenei announce Iran's critics
- Ali Khamenei criticize Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
- Ali Khamenei defend Iran's missile program
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Khamenei's remarks indicate a hardline stance on Iran's missile program amidst internal criticism.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%