Some Iranians skeptical US has given up hopes for regime change
Recent comments by Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the United States would pursue regime change if it could, indicate that the top Iranian leadership will continue to seek guarantees the United States is not after regime change if the two countries are to improve ties.
TEHRAN, Iran — In his latest address In Tehran, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the most powerful politician in the country, said the United States’ hostile policy toward the Islamic Republic has not changed a bit through recent decades, and that US officials need to do much more to win the Iranians’ trust back.
At a Feb. 8 ceremony to mark the 35th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei condemned the United States for pursuing a “regime change” strategy in Iran, and warned domestic officials to remain cautious while negotiating with their US counterparts over the Iranian nuclear energy program.
“US officials, in negotiations with our officials, say we are not after regime change in Iran,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. “They are lying. They would not hesitate a moment if they could do it.”
Advocates of Iran-US talks fear that Ayatollah Khamenei’s harsh criticism of US policy, and the deep distrust between the two foes, could reverse the fragile progress the moderate administration of President Hassan Rouhani has made in recent months.
