Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the nuclear deal struck with major powers last week will not alter Tehran's policies vis-à-vis the region or the United States.
"Whether or not the drafted text (of the deal) is approved through a legal process in the country, the Iranian nation will not stop supporting the oppressed people of Palestine, Yemen, Bahrain as well as the nations and governments of Syria, Iraq and the honest combatants in Lebanon and Palestine," the Leader said.
Concerning the policy on the United States, he stressed, "We will have no negotiations with the US regarding bilateral, regional and global issues unless in exceptional cases like the nuclear issue, which has had precedent."
He made the remarks in his sermon on Saturday in Tehran during Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to rantings of US officials in recent days following the conclusion of nuclear talks, saying, "These days, both statesmen and stateswomen in America have no option but to rant in order to resolve their domestic problems, but there is no truth in their bombastic rhetoric."
He referred to the claim by the US that the deal blocks production of nuclear weapons in Iran, saying, "Years ago, we issued a fatwa, based on Islamic teachings, forbidding the production of nuclear weapons, and we face religious obstacles for the production of these weapons."
"But the Americans who have sometimes owned up to the significance of this fatwa, keep lying in their propaganda and ranting, and claim that their threat blocked the production of nuclear weapons by Iran."
"American officials speak about the surrender of the Iranian nation. Of course, five former presidents after the (1979 Islamic) Revolution had these wishes in mind, but they either died or got lost in history, and like them, you may only dream of Iran's surrender," the Leader said, according to a transcript of his remarks posted on his official website.
Continued Mistrust
Elsewhere, in a meeting with ambassadors of Muslim countries, officials and people from different walks of life, Ayatollah Khamenei praised the negotiating team and reiterated his mistrust of US intentions.
"In this difficult test of nuclear talks, for which the president and other officials took trouble, we frequently witnessed dishonesty of Americans, which our officials, fortunately, counteracted and in certain cases showed some revolutionary gestures."
He said Iran's policy on the region is exactly the opposite of that of the hegemonic powers.
"The policies of the Islamic Republic in the region are in total opposition to the policies of the arrogant powers, topped by America, and Iran by no means trusts the United States because its politicians are totally dishonest and unfair."
The Leader referred to the issue of Iraq, saying, "The policy pursued by the arrogant powers in Iraq is to overthrow the (Iraqi) government that has come out of people's vote, trigger conflict between Shias and Sunnis, and finally bring about the division of Iraq."
"But the policy pursued by the Islamic Republic with regard to Iraq is to support and strengthen the (Iraqi) government that has come out of elections, steadfastness against factors of civil war and division and protecting territorial integrity of Iraq."
Regarding the situation in Syria, he said, "The policy pursued by the arrogant powers in Syria is to impose (on the country) a will other than the will of the nation and topple the government."
"But the Islamic Republic considers a government whose motto, goal and intention is resistance against the Zionists as beneficial to the Muslim world."
