The Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Thursday welcomed the call by U.S. President Barack Obama to avoid the military option against Iran's controversial nuclear program, according to his official website. In his statements on Tuesday, Obama called to avoid strikes against Iran. "These are good statements that show that Americans come out of an illusion," said Ayatollah Khamenei in front of senior Iranian clerics.
However, Iran's Supreme Leader immediately added to this rare positive assessment towards the U.S. President , by regretting that Obama had reaffirmed his commitment to strengthen sanctions against Iran's nuclear program. "This part of his statements shows that he maintains illusions in this regard," Ayatollah Khamenei told the Assembly of Experts.
The U.S. president warned Tuesday against military strikes in Iran or Syria. He stressed that a peaceful solution was in the interest of everyone, including Israel, which is considering military action against Iranian nuclear sites. Westerners suspect Tehran, despite its denials, of seeking to develop atomic weapons under cover of its civilian nuclear program.
Obama made the remarks after a meeting at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said Iran was "politically isolated" and starting to feel the effects of these sanctions.
"This illusion will lead the American leaders to fail because they have been imposing sanctions on the Iranians in vain for 33 years (...) in order to isolate the Islamic regime," responded Thursday Ayatollah Khamenei.
Hamas not to join war
Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance group Hamas distanced itself from Tehran. " Ahmed Youssef, one of the leaders of Hamas and adviser to the Gaza Prime Minister, said that "the Palestinian movement will not intervene if Iran was attacked militarily. "
The Hamas official, however, said that " Iran is a power that will not need the support of Palestine. Tehran can launch a painful attack on Israel." His statements reflect Hamas' decision to abandon the "resistance axis" which includes Iran and Syria.
