Iran’s supreme leader: US ‘plotter of terrorism’
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, accused America on Saturday of aiding instability and terrorism in the Middle East.
“US is the supporter & plotter of terrorism,” he tweeted.
“#Iran has fought #terrorism, has slapped it, has hit in the head and will continue to do so,” Khamenei wrote, including a #ISIS hashtag referencing the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
{mosads}The Ayatollah also blamed Israel and the U.S. for their role in Yemen’s civil war.
“The cause of insecurity & massacre in #Yemen are some so-called Islamic countries which are actually deceived by US & Israel,” Khamenei said with the hashtag #YemenUnderAttack.
“#PersianGulf’s security is on those who live in it,” he posted.
“What does US have to do w it?” he asked. “US seeks its own interests & causes #insecurity if necessary.”
“A secure #PersianGulf benefits all neighbor countries,” Khamenei added. “If it is #secure than we all benefit & if not, it will be insecure for all.”
The Ayatollah’s criticisms come after the U.S. declared its support for a Saudi Arabia-led coalition of Gulf States that has conducted air strikes in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia is leading the Sunni Muslim group in an effort to restore exiled Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power.
Iran is supporting the Shiite Houthi rebels who first ousted Hadi’s government last year.
A five-day humanitarian ceasefire between the two sides crumbled Friday when ten people died in Yemen.
Fierce fighting between Hadi loyalists and Houthi rebels in the city of Taiz were responsible for the casualties.
The city of Dhalea also reported combat Friday, but no information was available about those dead or wounded in clashes.
The temporary truce began Tuesday and was meant to allow desperately-needed aid to Yemeni citizens.
Secretary of State John Kerry first proposed the halt in fighting May 7 in Riyadh.
Tensions between Iran and the U.S. come as the two countries negotiate an agreement over Tehran’s nuclear arms research.
A temporary framework announced April 2 would lift economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for greater restrictions on its nuclear energy programs.
Iranian leadership has promised it would allow more frequent atomic inspections and caps on its centrifuge and uranium stockpiles as part of the bargain.
A final pact between the two countries is due by June 30.
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