Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei says Iran does not want war with the US and Israel, but vows to protect national rights under a fragile truce.
tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has announced that the Islamic Republic does not want war with the United States and Israel.
In a written message broadcast on state television, he said Iran would never give up its legitimate national rights.
“We did not want war and we do not want it,” Khamenei’s message said.
“But we will not give up our legitimate rights under any circumstances and in this regard we consider the entire resistance front as a whole,” he said.
The message coincided with the first day of the ongoing conflict, 40 days after the death of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
His reference to a “resistance front” is seen as a nod to Lebanon, where Israel is fighting Iran’s ally Hezbollah.
The statement comes after Iran agreed to a fragile two-week ceasefire with the United States this week.
This ceasefire can lead to peace talks after threats from US President Donald Trump.
Despite the ceasefire, Khamenei urged Iranians to continue public demonstrations.
“Your voices in public squares are undoubtedly influential in the outcome of the negotiations,” he told citizens.
He cautioned them not to assume that taking to the streets is no longer necessary.
