Iran leader warns West of 'negative impact' of interference (Roundup)

Jul 6, 2009, 10:54 GMT

   Tehran - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday warned some Western states of 'negative impact' if their interference in the internal matters of Iran continues.

   'The Western stance will have a negative impact in future relations,' the ayatollah said in a speech carried on state television.

   Khamenei was referring to alleged Western interference in the recent unrest over alleged fraud in the June 12 presidential election.

   'We warn the heads of certain Western states who try to misuse a solely internal issue against Iran that we will show a reaction,' the Iranian leader said without elaborating what the reaction might be.

   The Foreign Ministry and parliament are evaluating diplomatic relations with those countries which have not acknowledged the June 12 election results and re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

   Britain, France and Germany are especially in the focus of the Iranian establishment due to their alleged support for what the Iranian regime calls 'rioters.'

   The ayatollah said that even if there were disagreements within the establishment, 'still all the relevant parties would get united against foreign interference and accordingly reply with a united punch.'

   'Our internal differences are none of your business. Why do you interfere?' Khamenei said, calling any encouragement of continued unrest in Iran 'blatant interference' in its domestic affairs and efforts to sow discord within the country.

   Khamenei also warned the opposition groups, saying the apparent Western support for them was faked and that for the West, 'anybody linked to Iran's Islamic system is an enemy.'

   'Their main aim is eradication of the (ruling) Islamic system and therefore everybody should be careful not to regard by mistake a friend as enemy and vice-versa,' the leader said, obviously addressing opposition leader Mir-Hossein Moussavi.

   Moussavi, together with ex-president Mohammad Khatami and former parliament member Mehdi Karroubi, have rejected Ahmadinejad's re-election. A clergy assembly has also joined Moussavi's protest wave.

   Moussavi said the protests against alleged election fraud should continue but called on his supporters to avoid breaking the law.