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."
SOUNDS AND SMELLS LIKE DESPERATION ON THE PART OF SUPREME LEADER AYAOLLAH KHAMENEI
To paraphrase President Obama's famous statement on election night 4-NOV-2008 that if the Iranian leadership just "unclinch their fist", the U.S. and Iran could talk things out and come to an agreement.
It appears Iranian leadership is desperate because they are increasingly finding themselves boxed in by their own making.
Israel needs to act and destroy Iranian Nukes as QUICKLY as POSSIBLE.
Just wait till Israel makes a decision of what to do about the Iranian dictatorship!
The Iranians are not exactly wrong in this matter.President Obama has been a terrible disappointment to all of us moderates who just want an enlightened foreign policy instead of the current Darwinistic one that Obama chose to follow.But Obama chose to throw in with those right-wing thugs and continue the current policies which benefit only the Moslem Elitists.
What he's saying is that he doesn't want to negotiate and with Obama in Office, a coalition will be formed with other nations to force his hand. He much preferred the bellicose bush regime. bush called Iran axis of evil, but the leaders in Iran knew he couldn't do anything about it. Two wars on the ground and running the nation into economic recession, bush wasn't going to attack.
seem like iran is getting the knee shakes..feeling the heat of 10million degree...lol
The Unsub – What you are saying is that he hated Bush for 8 years so Bush was doing his job also.
Hey, look at that. GOP and the leader of Iran has a same point of view. Surprising.
and the repulsive repugnants.....are they any different from that cleric?
Did I read this right! President Barack Obama "poses a threat to international peace" and is "wicked and untrustworthy," ..did the "Mad Tea Cup Party" say that?...Oh! Iran's President..anyways not to much difference anyways!!
If he was a conservative, or even Sarah Palin, conservatives around the nation would be championing the president as a John Wayne of politics. "Yeah! You go girl!"
But the president liberal, so the fact the Iranian president hates America is now a bad thing about our president.
People, If the American president was anything short of the 12 Imam himself, their administration would hate him. You should be glad they are pissed: it shows he's not being apologetic.
Iran will never nuke Israel. Ignoring the case that Jerusalem is one of the holiest sites of Islam, they know for a fact that would cause the United States to invade and replace the government. And even if they tried to nuke us, assuming they even had the technology to launch a missile halfway around the world, we have so many counter-nuke defenses in place.
The only thing accurate about Sarah Palin's childish schoolyard analogy is that the Iranian government is a school bully. Not a significant threat to us, just a pathetic cry-baby compared to what it takes to win a "3:15 fight" with us. Have more confidence in the most influential country in the world, people.
Ah ha...the Tea Partiers and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have a lot in common...more than the Tea Partiers and the Ayatollah would like to admit!
You realize this means the U.S. is definitely doing something right! Ahmadinejad should get no sympathy from the U.S.
This is for the Republican Pharisees: If the bible speaks of things to come, do you think you have the power to prevent them from happening?
Think about that for a minute. They only thing you should try to change is your own behavior, because that is what you will be held accountable for.
The most intresting about Iran and the Arab World is Democracy is beginning to take hold. Part of that was the Defeat of Saddam Hussean and what is following in Afganstan. I know some don't like it and think Iraq and Afganstan is a mistake but in the long run it is the right thing to do. And make no mistake about it, there are still people out there that want to distroy the U.S and all the freedoms we enjoy. So we must still defend our way of life if we want it to continue.
If that nutbag in Iran hates Obama, then obviously Obama is doing something right.
ahmadinajad sounds like the nutcase that he is but unfortunately barry's world apology tour has done so much damage that it has put every American citizen at risk. This is what comes from electing a person with no experience and no capabilities to lead the greatest nation in the world. Don't think ahmadinajad fell for the community organizing crap.
If Ronald Reagan was still President we would have already nuked this guy and walked hand in hand into the nuclear blast after-glow with the Israeli President.
This shows that what Obama did was correct. Yet the GOP will still say that Obama is weak, etc. Go figure.
Actually I think Obama is doing a good job so far.
I just hope he comments on the Iranian supreme leader's words. Why would Iran feel threatened by a peace treaty unless they were thinking about violating it? They are the ones with the wicked thoughts on their mind.
See how UNTENABLE are the positions the U.S. "have" to defend, and it will show you how precarious their situation is!SELAH
Being nice and negotiationg with terrorist nations like Iran and being rude and disrespectful to our allies isn't working? I'm shocked.
For those of you who consistenly claim President Obama is weak, please tell us what you would expect him to do. Should he hit the red button? Would that make you all feel better (if, of course you live through the fallout). So sick of hearing our President is weak when in fact he's killed more terrorists than Cheney's gang ever did and, oh yes, we haven't had a terrorist attack since he's taken office 15 months ago. Who was in charge on Sept 11, 2001???
Any war with iran could lead to the end of Israel as a state. Who knows if the Iranian or Hazbollah has the Nuclear weapon already.US and Israel should not be fooled by their arab allies. Arab need iran and Iran also need then. Iran is not iraq, so US and Israel should think twice before going to war with iran. Maybe wwIII is about to begin.Israel should stop her atrocities against the palestinals and give peace a chance. Obama should stop threating Iran with nuke if he really want peace in the ME
the big picture:
1. We offer talks which they refuse, so now our allies (which we need) cannot accuse us of war mongering.
2. Because of 1. , now Russia (and to some extent China) sees what we see and isolation is beginning to actually hold.
3. We put in place a missile defense system actually geared towards threats from Iran.
4. We stabilize Afghanistan now that Irak is more stable (mainly thanks to Bush I have to say even if I'm no fan)
5. We shore up support in the region, by showing that we are interested in peace (by rebuking Israel when it is wrong for example)
6. We give ourselves some breathing space by lessening our dependence of oil from that region (moving towards domestic, African, and cleaner energy)
7. We clearly state the rules of engagement towards countries like Iran so no one can cry foul when push comes to shove.
I like our odds and how this comprehensive strategy is starting to put the pieces in place.
For all of those too stupid to see the big picture, go hide in your bunkers and let the grown ups protect your sorry self.