Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Western demands over Tehran’s nuclear program are an excuse to confront the Islamic Republic, a day after US President Donald Trump warned about renewed strikes if Iran restarts nuclear work.
“Nuclear program, enrichment, human rights are all excuses,” says Khamenei in a speech in Tehran commemorating Iranian military commanders and scientists killed during the 12-day Israel-Iran war last month. “What they are after is your religion and knowledge.”
Iran, whose leaders are sworn to destroy Israel, denies seeking nuclear arms, but has amassed uranium enriched to a degree far beyond what is needed for civilian use and a short step away from weapons-grade.
Trump, who ordered a strike on three key Iranian nuclear sites during the Israeli campaign targeting the nuclear program, said Monday that the US would “openly and gladly” strike Iran again if it restarts its nuclear program.
“We’ll wipe it out faster than you can wave your finger at it,” he said, speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer following a meeting in Scotland.
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