Iranian leader defiant

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, says the United States and other powers will never be capable of “crippling the Iranian nation through pressure”.This came as Saudi Arabia said it was ready to talk with Iran to improve of bilateral relations.

Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with thousands of Iranian people from all walks of life: “If we activate domestic potential and focus on local capabilities, the US and other powers will not be capable of doing a damn thing, whether military or non-military.

“Powers must know that the Iranian nation will never be brought to its knees because the Iranian nation is a lively nation, and the country’s youth are treading the right path.”

Ayatollah Khamenei emphasised the importance of relying on the capabilities and talents of the Iranian youth, saying the country’s progress in the fields of nuclear know-how, medicine, stem cells, nanotechnology and defence were clear examples of reliance on home-grown talents.

Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal told reporters in Riyadh yesterday that Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had been invited to visit.

“Iran is a neighbour, we have relations with them and we will negotiate with them,” the Saudi minister said. “We will talk with them in the hope that if there are any differences, they will be settled to the satisfaction of both countries.”

The Saudi minister said his Iranian counterpart had not yet responded to the invitation.

“Any time that he sees fit to come, we are willing to receive him,” Faisal said.

On March 3, Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani underlined the country’s determination to improve ties with neighbouring Muslim countries and said co-operation between Tehran and Riyadh was vital for regional security.

“Interaction and co-operation between Iran and Saudi Arabia can undoubtedly be effective for the stability and security of the entire (Middle East) region,” the Iranian president said.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are divided on several regional issues such as the situation in Syria and Bahrain.

Tehran has always been critical of Riyadh’s support for the heavy-handed crackdown of the Bahraini regime on peaceful protesters.
Riyadh also supports foreign-backed militants fighting the Syrian government, while Iran stresses the importance of resolving the crisis diplomatically. – Press TV.