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Khamenei hails fight against US, its 'dog on leash' Israel; issues fresh warning to 'attackers'
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday (July 16) took a sharp jab at the United States and Israel, praising the fight against Washington and what he called its 'dog on a leash' Israel as 'praiseworthy.'
He accused Israel of waging last month's 12-day war with the broader aim of destabilising Iran's government and inciting unrest to overthrow the Islamic Republic.
'The calculation and plan of the aggressors was to weaken the system by targeting certain figures and sensitive centres in Iran,' Khamenei said in a statement published on his website, as quoted by AFP.
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He added that the attacks were intended to stir 'unrest and bring people into the streets to overthrow the system.'
Khamenei warned that the attackers 'would have to adapt their stance before they are totally wiped out.'
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Iran signals shift in cooperation with IAEA after war with Israel
His remarks come amid escalating regional tensions and growing concerns in Iran over threats from the US and Israel.
On June 13, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, targeting and killing senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. According to Iranian authorities, the attacks claimed over 1,000 lives in Iran. The strikes triggered a 12-day conflict, with Iran retaliating through drone and missile attacks that, according to Israeli authorities, killed 28 people in Israel.
The assault began just two days before Iran and the US were scheduled to hold a sixth round of nuclear negotiations, which had started on April 12.
Those talks have not resumed since the conflict.
Tehran has reiterated its willingness to engage in diplomacy, but only if Washington provides assurances that it will not resort to military action against the Islamic Republic.
On Wednesday, Iran's Parliament declared that no negotiations would take place until certain unspecified 'preconditions' are met. In his statement, Khamenei called for Iran's diplomatic and military efforts to proceed with 'care and precision,' though he offered no further details on the approach.
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