US after creating crisis in Iran: Supreme Leader

Tehran, IRNA – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said that the United States is trying to foment crises in Iran by sowing discord in the country.

Addressing a meeting with thousands of people from the eastern Iranian provinces of Sistan & Baluchestan and South Khorasan on Monday, Ayatollah Khamenei said the US government has formed a so-called crisis group to create crises in Iran by exploiting the country’s fault lines.

“They have come to the conclusion that there are several crisis-prone points in Iran, namely ethnic disputes, religious differences, and the issue of gender and women, which can be exploited to create a crisis,” he said.

The Supreme Leader, however, made clear that US plots will fall through altogether.

“The enemy is serious in its enmity and plots, and we are also very serious in confronting the enemy,” he asserted.

‘Great progress in Sistan and Baluchestan, but not enough’

Elsewhere in his comments, Ayatollah Khamenei said a lot of work has been done in Sistan and Baluchestan, making the province vastly different from the era of the Shah, who was toppled in the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

“The Baluchestan you see today is not the Baluchestan of the era of tyranny. I had seen (Baluchestan) that day; the people had nothing,” he said.

At the same time, the Supreme Leader criticized some previous administrations for their “laziness” and “negligence” in implementing the approved plans in the province, which he said would have made the face of the province much more different.

“Today, thank God, the (administration) is busy. They are working and striving. I am hopeful, and, InshaAllah, this hope will come to fruition,” he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei thanks Iraqis for hospitality in Arbaeen

The Supreme Leader also extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Iraqi government and people, as well as the police and the Popular Mobilization Forces of the Arab country for their hospitality toward 22 million pilgrims during the Arbaeen season.

He also thanked Iran’s police forces for their tireless efforts to facilitate the Iranian pilgrims’ trip to Iraq.

“We should appreciate these good young people in different sectors,” he said.

Arbaeen marks the 40th day after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Imam of Shia Muslims and Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)’s grandson, in the holy Iraqi city of Karbala.

Millions of Muslims from across the world take part in the Arbaeen march to commemorate Imam Hussein (AS), in what is considered the largest annual public gathering in the world.