Tehran, July 20 (DPA) Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Monday warned the country’s opposition against provoking further unrest and decried alleged foreign interference following the June 12 presidential election.
“Our scholars should be careful what they say and what they do not say,” Khamenei said in a meeting with state officials, carried by state television.
“There might be different political tastes in Iran but when the people realise that the enmity is with the system then they will keep their distance,” added the ayatollah, who according to the constitution has the final say on all state affairs.
Although not mentioned by name, the leader was apparently referring to Friday prayer sermons by ex-president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, who termed the recent developments over alleged election fraud as a “crisis”.
“Saying wrong things and not saying some other things might lead to a downfall,” said the ayatollah without further elaborating.
Former president Mohammad Khatami said Sunday that a referendum should be held on the legitimacy of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s re-election. He also strongly criticised violence used against protestors and the detaining of former officials.
The Iranian opposition has formed a triangle compromising of Rafsanjani, Mir-Hossein Moussavi and former president Khatami, whose criticism of President Ahmadinejad and refusal to acknowledge his re-election have led to differences with the establishment and the leadership.
“Distorting the country’s security is one of the biggest sins,” Khamenei said, referring to the supporters of the opposition movement who last Friday once again rushed into the streets and shouted slogans against the president.
Khamenei further warned the opposition that the Western world would misuse the protests against the Islamic republic and stir up the unrests.
“The enemies should not be underestimated and even though they claim not to interfere, they still do in a shameless way,” he said.
The foreign media in Iran is banned from directly covering the protest demonstrations and only allowed to cover from their offices.
