TEHRAN – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Monday stressed that Iran has learnt from the nuclear deal that it should place no trust in Washington as the Americans are “busy obstructing and damaging Iran’s economic relations with other countries.”

The Leader made the remarks in a meeting on Monday with a group of people from different walks of life.

“The JCPOA, as an experience, proved the futility of negotiations with the Americans, their unfaithfulness, and the necessity of distrust in the Americans’ promises once more and indicated that for the country to progress and the people to enjoy better living conditions, heed should be directed to domestic capacities not to the enemies who keep creating impediments for Iran both regionally and internationally.” 

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to recent comments by Iranian diplomats and officials on Washington’s shaky commitment to the terms and conditions of the nuclear deal to further support his lack of trust in the U.S.  

“Today, even the diplomats and individuals who participated in the [nuclear] negotiations reiterate the fact that the U.S. breaks its promises, and while speaking softly and sweetly [to Iran], is busy obstructing and damaging Iran’s economic relations with other countries.” 

Prior to the start of nuclear negotiations, Ayatollah Khamenei had told he is neither optimistic nor pessimistic about the outcomes of the talks, saying it will be an acid test for the Americans to prove to the Iranian nation if they are reliable. 

“We told almost two years ago thLeader says, “The JCPOA, as an experience, proved the futility of negotiations with the Americans, their unfaithfulness, and the necessity of distrust in the Americans’ promises once more and indicated that for the country to progress and the people to enjoy better living conditions, heed should be directed to domestic capacities not to the enemies who keep creating impediments for Iran both regionally and internationally.” at the nation would look at the nuclear negotiations as an experience to see how the Americans would act in practice and now, it has turned out that they (the Americans) continue to hatch plots and to sabotage.” 

The Leader, yet, did not rule out any sort of dialogue, lending support to future negotiations if there are hopes for “tactful” solutions.  

“Every so often, the enemy creates hurdles on the path which can be overcome through logic and tactfulness, but under no circumstances it should be trusted.” 
 
“Of course, it has been for years we are reiterating the issue of mistrust to the Americans, but some found it difficult to accept the reality.” 

‘Domestic capacities, key to overcome challenges’

Linking distrust in foreigners to maximum use of domestic capacities, the Leader said to turn into an exemplary nation through relying on domestic capacities, there is “need for correct strategy and planning, working, non-stop attempt, and avoidance of lethargy, wastage of time, and trust in the enemies.” 
This focus on domestic capabilities is key as the JCPOA has failed to produce any “tangible impact” on the Iranians’ lives, the ayatollah noted. 

“Weren’t unfair sanctions to be removed so as to influence the people’s life? Has there been any tangible impact on the people’s life after 6 months (since the implementation of the JCPOA)?” 

Earlier, he had said the sanctions have been lifted “on paper.” 

Pointing out to the visits by foreign countries to Iran after the signing of the JCPOA, the Leader said, “Their goal is to dominate the domestic consumption market while the interactions should result in real investment and transfer of new technology.” 
Tehran has conditioned post-JCPOA economic cooperation upon investment and transfer of technology, saying it will not be a big consumption market for foreigners.

‘Washington behind regional mayhem’ 

The Leader further pointed the finger at the U.S. for all regional developments, saying, “American weaponry and their green light” are to blame. 

He also referred to disclosure of Saudis’ interactions with the Israeli regime, branding it as a “sin and big treachery”.
 
“This move by the Saudis is a sin and big treachery but the Americans play also a role in this big damn thing because the Saudi government is a submissive follower of the American government.”  

All this regional meddling is the result of discord among Muslim nations, the Leader implicitly highlighted, saying the only solution to the regional mayhem is “unity among Muslim nations and states and resistance to the goals of the arrogance of the U.S. and some European countries.” 
“Regional states are able to overcome these issues and we, while inviting regional governments, remind them that the U.S. is not reliable and looks at the Arab states as tool to protect the Zionist regime and materialize its arrogant interests in the region.” 

AK/PA