Iran's Khamenei says nation will back 'any nations, any groups' fighting Israel
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Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, prepares to deliver his Friday prayers sermon at Tehran University. In his remarks, the ayatollah called Israel a "cancer tumor on this region that should be cut off. And it definitely will be cut off."
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TEHRAN, Iran -- A fiery anti-Israel speech by Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivered shortly after a successful Iranian satellite launch, added to growing global tensions Friday, as Israel warned that it might mount a pre-emptive strike against the Islamic republic's nuclear facilities despite U.S. objections.
"From now onward, we will support and help any nations, any groups fighting against the Zionist regime across the world, and we are not afraid of declaring this," Ayatollah Khamenei said during a rare Friday prayer lecture at Tehran University.
"The Zionist regime is a true cancer tumor on this region that should be cut off," the supreme leader said. "And it definitely will be cut off."
Most of the ayatollah's rhetoric was not new. But the timing and setting of his speech hardened a standoff that some analysts say has the potential to spark military action. Such a development would disrupt the international coalition that has emerged to confront Iran over its nuclear program, as well as jeopardize oil markets and the fragile global economy.
Ayatollah Khamenei's speech, which comes ahead of a planned resumption of nuclear talks, exemplified his view of Iran as the flag-bearer in battles against the "arrogant powers," a term used in Iranian political discourse to describe the United States and its allies.
U.S. and European sanctions, he said, are actually helping Iran to develop and will never succeed in halting the country's nuclear enrichment program. "These sanctions are aimed at making Iran back down, but Iran will not back down," the ayatollah said. "These sanctions are aimed at dealing a blow to us, but, in fact, they are of benefit to us."
The supreme leader's tone Friday differed from that struck recently by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who said last month that Iran is ready for talks with the West. While Ayatollah Khamenei did not mention the upcoming nuclear discussions, he made clear that compromises such as suspending uranium enrichment are not on the table. Iran has the upper hand in its standoff with the West, he indicated, because its opponents are "fading powers."
Ayatollah Khamenei also said Israel has become "weakened and isolated" in the Middle East because of the revolutions -- he called them "Islamic awakenings" -- that have spread through the region.
First Published February 4, 2012 12:00 am
