Key points from address by Iran’s supreme leader
By APFriday, June 19, 2009
Key points from Khamenei address
Key points from the Friday prayers address by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei:
Dismisses charges of voting rigging in the June 12 presidential election and sides with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who official results showed was the landslide winner. This effectively closes the door on chances for a recount or new election. Khamenei says that the ruling establishment will still examine the claims of fraud.
Warns supporters of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi to end their street protests and holds them responsible for chaos and consequences if they don’t. This suggests harsher crackdowns by authorities.
Insists that Mousavi and other candidates in the race are loyal to Iran’s Islamic system and do not seek its overthrow. Mousavi, a former prime minister, has never called for a fight to dismantle the ruling structure, but he has openly defied Khamenei by staging street marches.
Blames foreign media and Western countries — specifically naming Britiain and the U.S. — of trying to create political rifts and encourage chaos in Iran. Iranian leaders often blame foreign “enemies” for plots against the country, but Khamenei’s comments suggest Iran could remain cool to expanding dialogue with the West and the offer of opening talks with Washington.
