Iran’s supreme leader rallied his country to endorse the ongoing nuclear negotiations with the US — while at the same time shouting, “Death to America!” along with the unruly crowd.
Ayatollah Khamenei addressed the rowdy mob and derided the sanctions against his country, demanding they be removed at once and not gradually, the Times of Israel reported.
“Sanctions must be lifted immediately,” Khamenei told the crowd.
When the congregation broke out with an impromptu “Death to America” chant, Khamenei couldn’t help but chime in.
“Of course, yes, death to America, because America is the original source of this pressure,” he said.
The supreme leader then went into a litany of perceived abuses by the US and other world powers.
“They insist on putting pressure on our dear people’s economy,” he said.
“What is their goal? Their goal is to put the people against the system. The politics of America is to create insecurity.”
The speech was made as Secretary of State John Kerry said the nations bargaining with Iran could complete the outline of a deal by March 31.
“We have not yet reached the finish line, but make no mistake, we have the opportunity to try to get this right,” Kerry said Saturday in Switzerland.