Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei states Iran does not want war with the US and Israel but vows to protect national rights as a fragile ceasefire holds.
TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has declared the Islamic Republic does not seek war with the United States and Israel.
In a written message broadcast on state television, he asserted Iran would never renounce its legitimate national rights.
“We did not seek war and we do not want it,” Khamenei’s message stated.
He added, “But we will not renounce our legitimate rights under any circumstances, and in this respect, we consider the entire resistance front as a whole.”
The message coincided with 40 days since the death of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the ongoing conflict.
His reference to the “resistance front” is seen as an allusion to Lebanon, where Israel is fighting Iran’s ally Hezbollah.
The statement follows Iran’s agreement this week to a fragile two-week ceasefire with the United States.
This ceasefire could lead to peace negotiations after threats from US President Donald Trump.
Despite the truce, 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 believe that taking to the streets was no longer necessary.