RNA – Speaking to pilgrims at Mashhad’s Holy Shrine of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (A), Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, Tehran’s temporary Friday prayers’ leader, referred to the recently-signed Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the P5+1 group of countries in Vienna. This agreement has now been approved by the UN Security Council and will undergo review by the United States Congress and the Iranian parliament.
Ayatollah Khatami explained that we are living in an atmosphere of agreement, understanding and negotiation.
His Eminence said that the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, has approved the text of the agreement with the P5+1 group of countries, and added: “We realize that foreigners, especially them [the West], are unreliable and untrustworthy. The most famous example of this is the United States.”
The member of the Assembly of Experts said that some say that the slogan of “Down with America” is inconsistent with the atmosphere created by the signing of this agreement, but when the JCPOA is accepted by the Iranian people, it will be accepted by the Iranian parliament. “Just as Ayatollah Khamenei said several times in his Eid prayer sermon last Saturday ‘whether or not this text is approved, the negotiators will be rewarded, God willing,’” he said.
Ayatollah Khatami said the nuclear issue should not be mixed with hostility and the slogan of “Down with America.” “Even if parliament approves 100% of the agreement, we will continue our loud cries of ‘Death to America’ because the ongoing crimes in Yemen and Bahrain are being committed with the support and help of the United States who have provided the Saudis with the weapons which they are killing innocent men, women and children with.
Referring to the United States, His Eminence said that terrorist groups do not just include ISIL and added that the animosity of the Western powers has not ended and we should not put our hopes in the hands of the enemies. “We should realize that they do not want any benefits or good for Iran, rather they want there to be permanent problems. Those elements which create cohesiveness and unity in Iranian society and end conflicts are considered as justice, but the enemies create injustice and conflict and injustice causes hatred and justice is against hatred,” he said.
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