Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday warned those involved in popular Arab uprisings against trusting Western powers and their promises, saying they should instead confide in Islam for solutions.
“Never trust America, NATO, and criminal regimes like Britain, France and Italy – who for a long time divided your lands (among themselves) and plundered them,” Khamenei said as he opened a two-day conference in Tehran on ‘Islamic Awakening’ attended by several hundred guests from Arab countries.
“Be suspicious of them and do not believe in their smiles. Behind those smiles and promises lie conspiracy and betrayal,’ Khomeini said. ‘Look for solutions in … Islam,” he said. “Do not let your enemies dictate your plans for the future, do not sacrifice the principles of Islam before temporary interests,” he said in remarks broadcast live on state television.
Iran has vocally supported most uprisings in the Arab world, with the exception of the revolt in its regional ally Syria, where it backs the regime of President Bashar al-Assad while advocating reform. The Islamic republic has in recent months repeatedly accused the West of attempting to hijack the revolt movements in the Arab world.