Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Iran leader issues stern warning to opposition
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Iran leader issues stern warning to opposition
Reuters - 2 hours 53 minutes ago
By Zahra Hosseinian and Reza Derakhshi
ADVERTISEMENT
TEHRAN - Iran's supreme leader told the opposition on Friday they would face a harsh response if they drew their "swords" against the ruling establishment.
The warning from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivered at Friday prayers three months after a disputed poll that led to widespread unrest, was a clear message he would not tolerate any threat to Iran's clerical system of government.
"Resisting the system and taking out the sword against the system will be followed by a harsh response," he told worshippers in a sermon broadcast live on state television.
"If somebody stands against the basis of the system and violates people's security, the system is forced to stand against it," he said.
But in his lengthy sermon Khamenei did not address proposals that Tehran on Wednesday delivered to world powers involved in efforts to resolve the issue diplomatically, but reiterated that the Islamic state should not back down on its "nuclear rights."
"It is a sign of deviation to give up one's rights, nuclear rights or non-nuclear rights, instead of insisting on them," he said.
But Khamenei, who has final say on all matters of state, added criticism and differences among officials were acceptable.
It was Khamenei's first Friday prayers sermon since the June poll, when he endorsed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election, blamed the opposition for bloodshed and accused Western powers of interfering in Iran's affairs.
The election and its turbulent aftermath plunged Iran into its deepest internal crisis since the 1979 Islamic revolution, exposing deepening divisions within its ruling elites and adding to tension with the West.
The opposition said 70 people were killed in the unrest while officials put the death toll at up to 36 people.
Rights groups say thousands of people, including senior pro-reform figures, were arrested after the presidential poll. Most have been freed but more than 200 remain in jail, according to the opposition.
This week the authorities detained three pro-reform figures allied to opposition leader and defeated candidate Mirhossein Mousavi. They also closed down the offices of reformist cleric Mehdi Karoubi, another presidential contender in June.
Mousavi and Karoubi say the poll was rigged to secure Ahmadinejad's re-election. Officials reject the charge.
The hardline president shored up his position last week when parliament approved most of his new ministers after almost three months of political turmoil in the major oil exporter.
NUCLEAR DISPUTE GOES TO U.N.
Ahmadinejad is due to attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York this month where Iran's nuclear programme will dominate behind-the-scene deliberations.
The Iranian proposal offers wide-ranging talks with the West but is silent about its nuclear programme, which the West suspects may be a cover for developing nuclear weapons. Iran says the programme's aim is solely to produce electrical power.
Instead of directly addressing those concerns, Iran's five-page proposal spoke generally of talks on political, security, international and economic issues.
The United States said the proposal was "not really responsive to our greatest concern, which is obviously Iran's nuclear program."
Western powers are becoming frustrated by what they have called Tehran's "persistent defiance and point-blank refusal" to suspend uranium enrichment and its avoidance of negotiations as demanded by U.N. Security Council resolutions since 2006.
European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Friday he was seeking an urgent meeting with Iran's top nuclear negotiator Dr Saeed Jalili after consulting the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany over the proposals.
"We are all committed to meaningful negotiations with Iran to resolve the International Community's concerns about their nuclear programme," Solana said.
U.S. President Barack Obama has suggested Iran may face much harsher international sanctions, possibly targeting its imports of gasoline, if it does not accept good-faith negotiations by the end of September.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, whose country has veto power in the U.N. Security Council, said the Iranian proposal provided something to work with, and he ruled out the possibility of sanctions on Iran's lifeblood oil sector.
Among the issues Iran said it was willing to discuss was "putting into action real and fundamental programmes towards complete disarmament and preventing development and proliferation of nuclear, chemical and microbial weapons."
Iran, the world's fifth biggest crude producer, is seen as vulnerable to oil sanctions because it imports 40 percent of its gasoline to supply the cheap fuel that Iranians see as their birthright.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Clarification: Russia-Gulag Required storyAP - Saturday, September 12
Flu season comes early; most are swine varietyAP - 2 hours 6 minutes ago
Ex-stepfather of slain girl sentenced in porn caseAP - Saturday, September 12
Federal deficit hits $1.38T through AugustAP - Saturday, September 12
AFL-CIO seeks more clout with new leadershipAP - Saturday, September 12
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Britain apologises to WWII code-breaker hero
Remains of Jesus-era synagogue found in Israel
Greenspan says further financial crisis 'inevitable'
Storms delay Discovery landing: NASA
Giant statues reveal red hat secrets: study
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Saturday, 12 September 2009 EU, S.Africa urge Zimbabwe to make unity govt work
Motorola shares jump on hopes for Google phone
Iran leader issues stern warning to opposition
EU foreign policy chief seeks urgent Iran talks
| International
|
Top Pakistani, Indian diplomats to meet this month
| International
|
U.N. says brutal LRA attacks increasing in south Sudan
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
Motorola shares jump on hopes for Google phone
Zimbabwe sanctions dominate S.Africa-EU summit
US, Britain issue warnings over Afghan vote delay
Rioters set fires at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison
Israeli shoots 2 Palestinians in Jerusalem
| International
|
Rockets hit Israel from Lebanon, no casualties
| International
|
Rocket fire from Lebanon sparks Israel retaliation
Gunmen kill five Iraqi soldiers in drive-by
| International
|
Major powers call urgent nuclear talks with Iran
Suicide bomber kills one in Russia's Ingushetia
| International
|
Israel returns fire after rocket attack from Lebanon
Rockets hit Israel from Lebanon, no casualties
Microsoft $358 million damage award overturned
| Technology
|
Google plans new mirror for cheaper solar power
| Technology
|
Tears, resolve on eighth anniversary of 9/11
School closure most effective at start of swine flu outbreak: WHO
Indian boy thrown from train by police loses leg
Angry protests as Manila honours Imelda Marcos
Darfur refugee says US envoy unwelcome to camps
Semenya's family angered by hermaphrodite report
Chaplain may be fired for carrying inmate letters
Extinct New Zealand eagle may have eaten humans
Swede held in Pakistan on terror links
Remains of Jesus-era synagogue found in Israel
Activist slain outside school; 2nd man also killed
Intercepted Coast Guard message led to confusion
Thousands of Maoist supporters protest in Nepal
AP NewsAlert
July wholesale figures point to economic growth
China opposes Dalai Lama trip to disputed India state
White House defends Sept 11 training exercise
Partygoer steals a cop car in New Mexico
Australia overtakes US as biggest polluter: report
9/11 marked with mourning and a spirit of service
Hartford mayor pleads not guilty to extortion
Challenger demands investigation of Afghan vote
China's economic recovery gathers momentum
VW announces Chinese investment offensive
JAL seeking capital tie-up with Delta: reports
Jackson buried with glove, pearls and shades
| Entertainment
|
Reports: Japan Airlines mulling tie-up with Delta
Dramas face tough time at Toronto festival
| Entertainment
|
India industrial output jumps for seventh month
Photographer Leibovitz reaches deal with lender
| Entertainment
|
Iranian street protests hit big screen in Venice
| Entertainment
|
Organizers cancel Jackson Vienna tribute concert
Dramas face tough time at Toronto festival
Tom Ford's 'A Single Man' wins Queer Golden Lion at Venice
Centenarians in Japan top 40,000 mark
Want to buy Manhattan? 24 dollars will do -- or did
Singapore lifts ban on film about opposition politician
Auction to test Asian art market health
Bull-lovers skewer British matador's memoirs
Jackson tribute postponed to London 2010
Tom Ford movie presented at Venice Film Festival
Obama faces skeptics in Congress over Afghan war
EU mission in Kosovo, Belgrade sign police accord
US-TECH Summary
South Korea says supports U.S. talks with North
| International
|
Space shuttle Discovery lands safely in California
CORRECTED: Google plans new mirror for cheaper solar power
One shot enough against swine flu, US studies confirm
Rockets hit Israel from Lebanon, no casualties
Google's search box gets bigger
Archaeologists find early depiction of a menorah
China sentences suspects in far-west needle scare
| International
|
Hacker pleads guilty in massive credit card theft
Gunmen kill five Iraqi soldiers in drive-by
Twitter opening up to advertising
Israel returns fire after rocket attack from Lebanon
Microsoft $358 million damage award overturned
U.S. drafts U.N. resolution urging nuclear disarmament
| International
|
Chavez says buying Russian short-range missiles
| International
|
Spanish security firm detects 'swine flu' computer virus
Indian forces fire on Pakistan border: Pakistan
| International
|
US videogame sales down for sixth month in a row
Colombian donkey bombs kill drug crop eradicators
| International
|
Mark Viduka to return to Australia: reports
British community tensions flare in mosque stand-off
Activists file lawsuit over right to protest G20
South Korea says supports U.S. talks with North
Census Bureau severs ties with ACORN in 2010 count
DA responds to OJ's appeal to state Supreme Court
In shift, US offers to talk directly to NKorea
Biden lobbies China's Wu on Iran nuclear issue
White House stiffens against illegal immigrants
Some Guantanamo Uighurs could go to Palau in October
Washington Post marketing executive resigns
Raina, Dhoni help India enter tri-series final
Appeals court dismisses Abu Ghraib lawsuit
Thai 'Yellow Shirt' founder wins jail appeal: statement
Indonesia detains 56 Afghan migrants: navy official
Federal judge in Mass. drops Sullivan's pot charge
Arizona driver dons monkey masks to elude tickets
Lauren Bacall to get honorary Oscar
US slaps punitive tariffs on Chinese tires
China, Costa Rica make progress in free trade talks
Garrison Keillor out of hospital after stroke
AFI revs up its rock sound on "Crash Love"
AP Source: Delta considers ties to Japan Airlines
Multi-million dollar Warhol collection stolen in LA
India industrial output jumps for seventh month
Warhol's sport superstar art stolen from LA home
India's Jet Airways in talks to end 'sick leave' strike
Tancharoen brings old-school touch to new "Fame"
VW announces Chinese investment offensive
Importers urge EU to end dumping tax on Chinese shoes
Bare bellies make a comeback at NY Fashion Week
Andy Warhol art worth millions stolen in L.A.
'M*A*S*H' TV show writer Larry Gelbart dead at 81
Tancharoen brings old-school touch to new Fame
| Entertainment
|
Elvis Costello opens archives for live releases
M*A*S*H TV show writer Larry Gelbart dead at 81
| Entertainment
|
Cameron Diaz joins Boston Celtics at 9/11 event
Two wounded in ambush near Indonesia mine: police
Andy Warhol art worth millions stolen in L.A.
| Entertainment
|
AFI revs up its rock sound on Crash Love
| Entertainment
|
Pierre Cossette father of Grammys dies at 85
| Entertainment
|
Lauren Bacall to get honorary Oscar
| Entertainment
|
Elvis Costello opens archives for live releases
| Entertainment
|
Up to 22 civilians killed in Afghan attacks
Britain's military training Libyan forces: reports
Vedanta ups offer for Asarco, now up to US judge
Attacks kill dozens as Afghans await poll results
| International
|
Three killed in car bomb attack in Baghdad
Israel warns Lebanon on rockets but sees calm for now
Wells Fargo probing Malibu mansion parties
Iran signals no compromise on nuclear issue
| International
|
Iran ready to negotiate nuclear proposals: Mottaki
Clooney to help Damon regain 'sexiest man alive' title
Mugabe welcomes EU delegation with open arms
| International
|
Afghan officials to announce 99 pcnt of vote count
7 Afghan police killed in Taliban raid: official
Pakistan kills 22 militants in Khyber
| International
|
Israel warns Lebanon on rockets but sees calm for now
| International
|
Afghan journalist's body 'left behind under heavy fire'
Iraq cabinet approves draft elections law
| International
|
Cuba revolution commander Juan Almeida dies at 82
| International
|
Ugandan capital calm after 14 killed in riots
| International
|
Obama urges action on health care reform
Skype founders' Joost ousts chairman Mike Volpi
| Technology
|
Obama to attend health care rally
Philippine floods, landslides leave 11 dead
Voices in the health care debate
Rebels kill 4 soldiers in northeast India
Biden to attend LA service for fallen firefighters
Health care bills face crucial tests in Congress
Muslim killed, burned in Thailand's restive south
1 child dead, 1 injured in Long Beach hit-and-run
Chinese hurdler Liu to launch comeback
48 Taliban, Afghan civilians, security forces die
Calif. debates high standard for renewable energy
US penalizes Chinese tires, infuriating Beijing
China jails Xinjiang syringe attacker: report
Taiwan media split on Chen conviction
SKorea not opposed to US-NKorea direct talks
Gunmen fire at bus, hurt 2 at US mine in Indonesia
Report: JAL in tie-up talks with Air France-KLM
Pakistan c.bank buys 36.85 bln rupees of govt paper
China strongly opposes tire tariffs imposed by US
China says it strongly opposes Obama tire tariffs
China "strongly opposes" Obama tire tariffs
Venice film festival race seen wide open
| Entertainment
|
Stallone, Willis, Schwarzenegger form dream team
| Entertainment
|
Binoche leaps 'into the unknown' with art, dance
Russian city hunts for purged German roots
Ex-addicts give tours of Dutch city's dark underbelly
Andrews on Oprah: She thought her career was over
Suharto clan in political comeback
Pierre Cossette "father of Grammys" dies at 85
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights