TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) - The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama "poses a threat to international peace" and is "wicked and untrustworthy," Iran's supreme leader said Sunday, according to Iranian media.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the remarks Sunday in a meeting with the Armed Forces chief of staff and other top military officials, according to Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
Khamenei said that Obama had recently threatened Iran with nuclear weapons.
He apparently was referring to last week's announcement of a shift in U.S. nuclear strategy, in which the administration said it would swear off developing new generations of nuclear weapons and would not use its existing arsenal to attack non-nuclear states that are in compliance with non-proliferation agreements.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, however, said Tuesday that the new policy sends a "strong message" to states such as Iran and North Korea, which are believed by many observers to be seeking a military nuclear capability.
"If you're going to play by the rules (of the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty), we will undertake certain obligations to you," Gates said. "But if you're not going to play by the rules ... all options are on the table."
"(The) president of a state stands before the podium and poses (a) threat to international peace with nuclear weapons," IRNA quoted Khamenei as saying. "Such statements indicate that the U.S. administration is wicked and untrustworthy."
He emphasized the importance of "a powerful, vigilant and courageous military force," IRNA said, and advised Iran's military to prepare well in order to handle the threats.
"Certain governments and their heads fully back aggressions and establishment of terrorist organizations to attain their sinister goals, but in dealing with the international community, they take a humanitarian gesture and use soft words," Khamenei said, according to IRNA. He added that Obama's recent statement is a good example.
"The Americans did their best to imply that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not a trustworthy country on nuclear issues, but the fact is that those who possess such weapons and shamefully threaten others with such bombs are unreliable," the supreme leader said.
On Friday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the nation has advanced its nuclear technology, unveiling new, faster centrifuges and celebrating "giant steps" forward.
He referred to the signing of an arms deal between the United States and Russia on Thursday - including remarks by Obama that the United States' goal is a world without nuclear weapons - as "a show performed by the United States" and "a great lie."
So the strategy of being nice to dictators isn't working...
Thank goodness I have my bomb shelter fully stocked!
Hey, Khamenei, do, please, give us a heads up first. Shelters can get awfully stuffy . . .
The mere fact that Iran hates us is a sign that Obama is doing his job!
Ahmadinajad sounds like the GOP in the way he tries to talk about the President. What they say and how the President acts just don't add up with reality.
The GOP says that we are coddling rogue nations, tell that to Khamenei and Ahmadinajad and they'd have to show you the crap that they just took in their pants this past week and tel you it's not true.
I am so proud and feel much safer because Barack Obama is President of the United States right now.
GO GET THEM ISREAL!!!! Our weak president is a traitor to the US and the world! This is truly Armeggedon!
Iranian regime is toying around with fire. Actions speak louder than words. Yes words potray intent. Before they achieve their intent against Israel and the West,this score will be settled. We will have had enough stocks of oil from ownself and friendly sources to butt off any idiotic blockage along persian sea. Surfice this to mean the only center of gravity here is oil and concrete effort is being made to pursue alternatives.
When I first glimpsed the headline: "Obama Administration is Wicked and Untrustworthy" I assumed it had to have come from some Republican Politician. Except it came from the Iranian leader of an oppressive regime of fundamentalists. Glad to see the two share something in common.
It will be interesting how many right wing Obama haters come out of the woodwork and agree with this fool and of course blame President Obama for whatever. Be afraid, be very afraid Some people are too stupid to see that all their negative rhetoric against President Obama just goes to feed and prop up people who hate this country and want to do harm to us. Republicans, Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity and the like are our biggest enemies. They are doing the dirty work and setting the ground work for these radical people who hate our country to come in and do what they want. In fact they are tearing the country apart and have the gall to blame President Obama. Yep Republicans/conservative/right wing/Obama haters how does it feel to complete the job Bin Laden started?
I am so proud and feel much safer because Barack Obama is President of the United States right now.
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As do I. Well said!
And that is the final word from Iran...the country that has more freedom than any other country in the entire world.
As a Nation it is good democracy to have internal opposition but we must be able to cross the ranks and galvanize our leadership against external attack like this one. Any American from any political party supporting such demonic regime should be viewed as a traitor and nothing less. Liz Cheney issued satanic comments in support of Corrupt regime in Kabul who are mis-using our tax dollars. If she jumps into this Iranian trash she will be wrong in all magnitude of Nationalism and Liberty.
So,.... is Ama-nut-job a member of the Teabaggers ? The rhetoric sounds much like the RW GOP and the US "nut jobs".
No people, not Armageddon,... just the reality that you can't go around blowing up everyone just because they don't subscribe to your particular brand of insanity. That belief is insanity in itself.
Obama is right on target.
This shows the GOP and the Iranian leadership are in total agreement. You can't even tell which one hates our president more.
All people that would rather side/agree with the Iranians and the GOP, SHOULD NEVER, call themselves patriots.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments about Obama sound vaguely familiar. Is he stealing Limbaugh's, Beck's, Boehner's, Cantor's and McConnell's material?
Iran's president sounds like th Grand Old Party who have no respect for our president. Republicans need to cleanup their act.
Guess what American Conservatives and the crazy right wing Iranians have in common........
...believe me folks, aside for a different religion, you could exchenge the Iranian conservatives for the US conservatives and there would be no difference what so ever.
This is the best sign we've seen yet! Khamenei must be a little worried about the ramifacation of the U.S.'s emerging relationship with Russia. Good thing our administration keeps a cool head and looks at the big picture in foreign policy. For all of you bomb hungry Republicans, I assure you that it's not that difficult for us to rid Iran of their ambitions if that time comes, but lets be smart people! Maybe this time we'll have the moral and possibly financial support of the world because we've exhausted the possibilities in search of the best solution not the easiest.
I really, really hate to admit it, but this Iranian leader is absolutely correct. Even though I don't have much trust in what the Iranian leadership say or does. He forgot to mention that NObama and his administration lie through their teeth and try to bully everyone that does not agree with their policies and idiocies.
Iran-a country with a government of religious fanatics that has no respect for the basic human rights of its citizens.
And we're wicked and untrustworthy?
That Iranian would make a fine member of the Republican Party. He could probably do Michael Steele's job better than Steele himself can do it.
If Iran hates you, you are doing something right.
Good for Gates, for taking this stand.
"So the strategy of being nice to dictators isn't working..."
You see that's what the unintelligent rightwingers don't get. Being nice exposes the tyrants as they are to the world community thus establishing strong motivations for actions.
Funny how it is hard to tell whether the hateful words against the US these days are those of the Iranian leader or the GOP leaders,
Whether you think using war or diplomacy are the way to go in dealing with Iran – someone needed to build our case internationally. Countries can no longer say we didnt give diplomacy a shot, I got a kick out of Obamas humble statements to the Iranians and the the Iranian government in the same week saying "we are the most powerful country in the world". Im not American, but I would vote to support the US against Iran(In my own country as an ally) because of the way Barack has dealt with this.