The Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran will not coordinate Middle East issues with the United States.
Referring to Washington's apparent interest in holding talks with Tehran on major regional challenges, including the Syria crisis, the Leader said, "We do not want such coordination as their (US) main objective is to undermine Iran's presence in the region."
"The Islamic Republic wants the US to leave the region and stop its interference," Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with university students in Tehran on Saturday, Tasnim News Agency reported.
US officials have time and again tried to raise regional issues as part of bilateral discussions on the implementation of last year's nuclear deal between Iran and major powers. But the Iranian side has always rejected the inclusion of such subjects, stressing that Iran's engagement with the US is and will be confined to the agreement, which lifted sanctions on Tehran in return for curbs on its nuclear activities.
Pointing to the problems caused by the remaining non-nuclear US restrictions that have hindered the smooth enforcement of the landmark accord and prevented Iran from fully benefitting from sanctions relief, the Leader said, "In the case of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [the official title of the nuclear pact], it was proved that the Americans, including the US Congress and administration have maintained animosity toward the Iranian nation."
Special Role
Ayatollah Khamenei warned of enemies' plans to undermine Iran's Islamic establishment and highlighted "the special role" students can play in helping thwart the plots.
He said "the origin and identity of the Islamic establishment" are the main targets of the enemies.
"The Islamic establishment means a set of … values and objectives such as justice, scientific progress, ethics, democracy, the rule of law and idealism," Ayatollah Khamenei stated, elaborating on different aspects of the identity of the ruling system. He emphasized that in the fight against enemies, big challenges arise whose settlement demands resistance and prudence. "On the path to the resolution of problems, students, who represent the nation's capabilities, have a special role and position."
Ayatollah Khamenei cautioned that if students fail to show insight or exercise vigilance, they may make miscalculations in analyzing current regional and international developments.
He called on Iranian student associations to try to launch "a unified anti-US and anti-Zionist front" among the students in the Muslim world.
"By using advanced means of communication and in cyberspace, broad campaigns can be mounted by Muslim students based on the opposition to the policies of the US and the Zionist regime of Israel so that when needed, millions of young Muslim students can start a big movement in the Islamic world."
