US hostility against Iran ongoing: Supreme leader

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday said the policies of the US and its threats against the Islamic Republic remain constant even after the nuclear deal struck with Tehran in July 2015.

"The Americans, whether the government, Congress or presidential candidates, continue to make excessive demands and threats," Khamenei said, adding that "their stance and threats haven't changed".

"The enemy calculates reactions and if it senses any passivity or acquiescence from the opposing side, it increases its demands," he said.

Under such circumstances, "we cannot remain silent when insulted by insolent enemies. We must to be present in the international arena in order to silence them with a strong response," Khamenei said during a meeting with new Iranian legislators.

Since Iran's nuclear deal was finalised, which is known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and after the West along with the UN lifted nuclear sanctions off of Iran, the country has yet to reap economic gains expected from the deal.

The US still imposes sanctions against Iran, over alleged human rights violations and supporting terrorism, claims all denied by Iran.

Furthermore, Washington recently blacklisted several Iranian and foreign entities owing to their involvement in missile programme.

These restrictions bar US companies from undertaking business transactions with the government of Iran and concern international companies from falling victim to US punitive legislative measures if they invest in the country.

The US administration issued its annual State Department report on Saturday in which it designated Iran as a leading sponsor of global terrorism, a claim which was rejected by the country's Foreign Ministry.

Iranian senior officials said they will assist regional countries and resistance movements facing the continued occupation of Palestinians territories by Israel as well as the spreading regional extremism.

On Sunday, Khamenei referred to Iran's "important" role in the Middle East's political direction, stating that Iran is the only obstacle preventing the triumph of Washington's strategy for the volatile Middle East region.

They were planning for a "new Middle East", a "greater Middle East", several years ago, but their plans for Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, have failed due to Iran's defiance, Khamenei said.

"There is a need to stand up to hegemonic policies and unmask their arrogant stance," added the leader.

--IANS

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