Khamenei: Iran Will Resist Sanctions, Gain Victories - Panetta: US to Act if Iran Develops Nuclear Bomb, Closes Hormuz Strait

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S. Leader: Iran Will Resist Sanctions, Gain Victories

Local Editor

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei said Monday that Western sanctions against the country have proven futile, adding there are more victories on the horizon for the Iranian nation. His eminence delivered his statement in a meeting with thousands of theologians and students of theological center of Qom, marking the anniversary of Qom uprising against the deposed shah in 1978. “Western officials have repeatedly announced that the objective of anti-Iran sanctions is to wear out the Iranian nation and force the authorities of the Islamic Republic to reconsider their political calculations,” Ayatollah Khamenei stated “But they are mistaken and will never achieve this goal.” “The Iranian nation has chosen this victorious path with insight and has made great sacrifices and forfeited the blood of its loved ones to tread this path,” the Leader added. Referring to the upcoming parliamentary elections, Ayatollah Khamenei said the vote is a manifestation of people's presence in the political decision making process. Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran's parliamentary election is also important for other Islamic Nations and that is why the US and its allies are trying to disappoint the Muslim world by disrupting the vote. Ayatollah Khamenei also warned of the scourge threatening the elections. The Supreme Leader said that the movement of Iranian nation to reach the heights of glory cannot be halted. Comparing the status of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the past 20 or 30 years, the Supreme Leader said thank God Iran has obtained power and became self-reliant, whereas, the world arrogance led by the US is passing its crippling period and driven to downward spiraling weakness.

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Panetta: US to Act if Iran Develops Nuclear Bomb, Closes Hormuz Strait

Local Editor

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Sunday that his country would act if the Islamic Republic of Iran were to develop a nuclear weapon or close the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to CBS’ Face the Nation, Panetta said that if Iran started developing a weapon, the U.S. would act. "I think they need to know that — that if they take that step — that they're going to get stopped." He did not rule out launching what he called a pre-emptive strike. "But the responsible thing to do right now is to keep putting diplomatic and economic pressure on them to force them to do the right thing," he said. "And to make sure that they do not make the decision to proceed with the development of a nuclear weapon." Panetta also said that closing the strait would draw a U.S. military response. "We made very clear that the United States will not tolerate the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz," he said. "That's another red line for us and ... we will respond to them." For his part, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey, who was appearing with the defense secretary, said that he wanted the Iranians to believe that a U.S. military strike could wipe out their nuclear program. "I absolutely want them to believe that's the case," he said. He added said that Iran has the military power to block the Strait of Hormuz "for a period of time" if it decides to do so, but that the U.S. would take action to reopen waterway. "We can defeat that," he said.

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