Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:17:15 GMT
 "If you change your attitude, we will change our attitude," Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei told US leaders. |
In a Saturday address in Mashhad, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said a mere change in rhetoric is not enough and the White House must demonstrate change in practice.
"They use the slogan of change but in practice no change is seen... We haven't seen any change," Ayatollah Khamenei said. "Did you remove the sanctions? Did you stop supporting the Zionist regime? Tell us what you have changed. Change only in words is not enough."
"Our nation loathes the languages of threats and incentives. But we have no experience with the new president and the new US administration. Thus, we will reserve judgment and will base it on their actions," the Leader added.
The remarks came a day after US President Barack Obama offered Tehran a "new beginning" to turn back the tide on three decades of mutual animosity.
"For nearly three decades relations between our nations have been strained. But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together," President Obama said in an unprecedented Nowruz message.
"We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect," he added.
The initiative drew praise from the international community with many countries hoping it could pave the way for a US-Iran reconciliation.
Ayatollah Khamenei, however, explained that a mere shift in tone cannot overshadow US support for Israel and sanctions against Iran.
"Avoid an arrogant tone, avoid arrogant behavior, avoid bullying, do not interfere in any nations affairs," Ayatollah Khamenei advised the US president.
"If you change your attitude, we will change our attitude," the Leader affirmed.
Washington and Tehran have had no diplomatic ties for almost three decades. The two states ended all relations in the aftermath of the 1980 US embassy takeover in Tehran.
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