RNA - “The Islamic Republic of Iran supports anyone, wherever in the world, who resists bullying and hegemony,” Ayatollah Khamenei told Bolivian President Evo Morales in a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday.
The Leader hailed the “appealing and heroic” resistance of Bolivia and some other Latin American states against the bullying of hegemonic powers and said the US is pursuing a dangerous policy across the world, aimed at changing the identity of youth.
“If the Americans achieve success in this policy and manage to turn the youths’ minds into an American thought, they will dominate countries without [having to foment] any military coup and [having to take any] tough actions,” Ayatollah Khamenei stated.
He stressed the importance of resisting against such a hegemonic policy by strengthening determination and enhancing cooperation.
The Leader praised Bolivia’s resistance against the US excessive demands.
Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran was the “first country in the world to fully break loose from the US dominance” thanks to a popular movement led by the late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini, adding that the Iranians resisted military, security and economic pressure exerted by then empires of East and West.
The Leader added that Bolivia’s great potential and its relations with Iran can strengthen resistance against bullying powers.
The Bolivian president, for his part, expressed pleasure over his meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei and said the US intervention in the countries’ domestic affairs has been troublesome.
“We regard His Excellency as the father and guide of all independent revolutions and particularly the revolutions in the Latin American region and we have learnt lots of lessons from your valuable, inspirational and hope-inspiring speeches,” he said
He added that after taking office in 2006, he had dismissed the US warning against relations with Iran and said: “We are an independent country and we do not get permission from anybody for relationship with others.”
Morales stressed that Bolivia has never been blackmailed by the US and will never do so.
The Bolivian president further said Iran and Bolivia are two historical, cultural and popular allies and expressed hope that bilateral relations will be broadened in different sectors.
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