ANKARA: Iran鈥檚 top leader said on Monday it would respond harshly to any attack and that Western demands for limits on its ballistic missile program are a 鈥渄ream that will never come true.鈥�
Tensions between Iran and the West have resurged since President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of world powers鈥� 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, calling it deeply flawed.
One of Trump鈥檚 demands 鈥� which European allies back in principle 鈥� is negotiations to rein in Iran鈥檚 ballistic missile program, which was not covered by the nuclear deal.
鈥淪ome Europeans are talking about limiting our defensive missile program. I am telling the Europeans, 鈥楲imiting our missile work is a dream that will never come true,鈥� he said in a televised speech.
Trump also objected that the 2015 deal did not address Iran鈥檚 nuclear work beyond 2025 or its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria. Though committed to the deal, European powers share Trump鈥檚 concerns and want broader talks with Iran to address the issues.
鈥淥ur enemies have staged economic and psychological ... warfare against us and new American sanctions are part of it,鈥� Khamenei told a gathering to mark the 29th anniversary of the death of Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
鈥淭ehran will attack 10 times more if attacked by enemies ... The enemies don鈥檛 want an independent Iran in the region ... We will continue our support for oppressed nations,鈥� he said.
Khamenei said Iran had no intention of curbing its influence in the Middle East and urged Arab youth to stand up to US pressure.