Iran’s Spiritual Leader Ali Khamenei criticized Iranian officials for failing to fight corruption and disregarding the country’s dynamics.
“The most important challenge in the country is the challenge of the mentality and the lack of awareness of the public and some officials about human and natural resources,” he stated, blaming certain officials of being lazy and inactive, hampering the development of the country.
Khamenei also pointed to “the existence of political tribalism” as a behavior that prevents progress. He considered the failure to “seriously combat corruption” a main obstacle in Iran, but at the same time denied the spread of corruption in state institutions.
In his second speech following the Iranian New Year (Nowruz), Iran’s spiritual leader tackled on Wednesday a long list of local and international issues, sending warnings to officials and international parties.
Khamenei claimed that Iran “played an important role in defeating ISIS,” adding that it “restored stability to an important part of the region.”
He also said that his country has prevented the US from implementing its plans in the region.
“Without a doubt, the United States will not reach its goals in the region and, thank God, we will achieve ours,” he noted.
His comments came after US President Donald Trump angered Iran over a message to its people on the occasion of the Nowruz New Year celebrations.
“I wish a beautiful and blessed Nowruz to the millions of people around the world who are celebrating the arrival of spring,” Trump said. He added, however, that the Iranian people were burdened by “rulers who serve themselves instead of serving the people.”
The US President added that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had spent more than $16 billion to support Syria’s regime and back militants and terrorists in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
