TEHRAN: Iran'ssupreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said yesterday that Europe "cannotbe trusted", a week after the EU launched a trade mechanism to bypass USsanctions on Tehran. "These days there's talk of the Europeans and theirproposals. My advice is that they shouldn't be trusted, just like theAmericans," he said at a meeting with air force officials, his websitereported.
"I'm notsaying we shouldn't have relations with them. This is about trust," headded. Britain, France and Germany last week launched a special paymentmechanism called INSTEX to help save the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran andworld powers. It would allow Tehran to keep trading with EU companies in spiteof US sanctions renewed after Washington quit the accord last year. Tehran hascautiously welcomed INSTEX as a "first step", but US officials saidthe new entity would not have any impact on efforts to exert economic pressureon Iran.
Khamenei alsoaccused Europe of hypocrisy over human rights, criticizing France's treatmentof protesters in Paris. "They (anti-riot police) attack protesters inParis streets and blind them, then they have the audacity to make human rightsrequests of us," he said. Turning to the United States, Khamenei saidIranians would chant "death to America" as long as Washington kept upits hostile policies, but the slogan was not directed at the American people."Death to America means death to (President Donald) Trump, (National SecurityAdvisor) John Bolton and (Secretary of State Mike) Pompeo. It means death toAmerica's rulers ... we have nothing against the American people," hesaid.
40th anniversary
Iran celebratesthe 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution's victory tomorrow at a time ofheightened tensions with the United States and a sharp economic downturn. OnFebruary 11, the state has organised a march to Tehran's Azadi (freedom) Squareto mark the day the monarchy was officially toppled 10 days after thetriumphant return from exile of the revolution's leader, Ayatollah RuhollahKhomeini.
It will be awho's who of Iranian politicians and public figures, with President HassanRouhani expected to deliver a speech at a rally. Iran has played up this year'sanniversary as 40 is symbolic of maturity in the Islamic tradition and the ageat which Prophet Mohammed received revelations from God. Despite 10 days ofannual celebrations launched on February 1, today's Islamic Republic facesacute economic challenges as it struggles with a mix of domestic hardships andUS sanctions.
The rial hassharply devalued against the dollar, driving up prices, while the reimpositionof sanctions has blocked foreign investment and limited Iran's oil sales. Inresponse Iranian authorities have warned against "infiltrators" whowould threaten the country from within and called for "nationalunity". Iran is also grappling with an environmental crisis, brought on bya mix of air pollution, soil erosion, drought and desertification. The countryhas "progressed in many areas in 40 years", its environmentalorganization head Isa Kalantari has said, singling out the sectors of health,industry, services and education. But its environmental track record is simply"indefensible", he warned.
Revolution's achievements
On the militaryfront, a source of pride for Iran, it has timed two arms exhibitions in Tehranto coincide with the anniversary and showcase its latest equipment andcapabilities. At shows dubbed "40 years of defensive achievements",Tehran has unveiled a new made-in-Iran cruise missile which it said had been"successfully" tested. Washington and its allies accuse Tehran ofworking to enhance its missile capabilities, threatening the whole Middle East,although Iran insists its weaponry is solely for defensive purposes. Billboardsboasting of the revolution's achievements have sprouted all across Tehran,ranking Iran first in "peaceful nuclear research in the Middle East",ninth in the world in the number of books published each year, and fifth in "cyberspace security".
In a show oftechnological progress, Iran last month launched a satellite called Payam(message in Persian) but it failed to reach orbit. Speculation is mounting thatIran could launch another domestically-manufactured satellite during the finalphases of the annual celebrations. Iran's supreme leader, the late Khomeini'ssuccessor Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has agreed to pardon a "largenumber" of prisoners for this year's anniversary, according to statetelevision. Judiciary chief Sadegh Amoli Larijani, quoted in the Iranian media,has put at 50,000 the number of prisoners to be released. Iran held over217,000 prisoners in March 2017, according to official figures from thejudiciary.- Agencies