Ayatollah Khamenei Says Iran Will Destroy US Mercenaries

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Source: IRNA)

JAKARTA - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday his country would destroy what he called US mercenaries, highlighting the situation in Syria.

In a meeting with a group of poets and speech experts Khamenei said the United States had two scenarios to dominate countries, namely by installing tyrannical regimes that were in line with its interests, or fueling chaos and unrest when such a regime could not be established.

"Maybe two or three weeks ago, I mentioned in a speech here, the US plan to control countries involves one of two approaches: creating an autocratic government they can negotiate and share state resources among themselves, or, if they fail, trigger chaos and unrest. In Syria, they use unrest and create chaos," he explained, quoted from IRNA December 23.

Khamenei himself expressed optimism about the emergence of Syria's "strong and dignified" movement, despite ongoing challenges.

"I predict a strong and honorable group will rise in Syria as well. A Syrian young man will not lose anything, his university is unsafe, his school is unsafe, his house is unsafe, his path is unsafe, his entire life is not safe. What should he do?" he said.

Furthermore, on that occasion Khamenei criticized the recent actions of the United States and Israel, which show their current sense of victory has led to reckless rhetoric.

"Now, they imagine having achieved victory. The Americans, the Zionist regime and their accomplices feel they have succeeded, which makes them make proud claims. This is the nature of the criminals, when they believe they have won, they lose control of their tongue and say nonsense," he explained.

Khamenei in particular responded to the latest comments from a US official, who was considered baseless provocations, saying, "These people have fallen into nonsense. An American official, in his arrogant statement although wrapped in smoothness, but completely clear said, Whoever sparked the unrest in Iran, we would support them. These stupid people thought they had found gold."

"The main point is, Iran will destroy anyone who accepts to act as an American mercenaries on this issue," said Ayatollah Khamenei, stressing national unity and power in the face of foreign interference.