In his address today to the Foreign Ministerial staff, including the minister, and Iran’s ambassadors and representatives abroad, he said: “Active and smart diplomacy would bring great achievements in the political, economic, social and others spheres; achievements that could not be gained through costly and dangerous wars.”

He took note of developments of the past few years and said the big powers have failed, even at gunpoint and with state-of-the-art weapons, to perverse their vested interests. At the same time, he added, others have succeeded in dealing with matters of interest, through prudence, acumen and active diplomacy.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the two major features of Iran’s foreign policy are “rapid, decisive and real support of the oppressed”, coupled with “serious opposition to global arrogance”. Ever since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, he pointed out, these factors have been the main features of Iran’s policy, as is evident by its support for the people and combatants in Palestine and Lebanon, and in other places.

The Leader called for proper interaction with all world countries, except the US and the illegal Zionist entity, reiterating that there would be no interaction with the US as long as the regime in Washington and the Congress continue animosity toward the Islamic Republic.

He stated that negotiations with the US, except in special cases, are not just useless, but harmful for Iran. He underscored that the outcome of the recent foreign ministerial level talks with the US, have been fruitless for Iran and have even emboldened Washington to take a more insulting position towards our nation, including intensification of the imposed sanctions.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei praised the foreign ministry for doing a good job regarding the nuclear talks, but added that experience has shown that these talks have not helped decrease US animosity towards Iran.

The Leader then referred to the growing hatred all over the world against the US for its collaboration with the Zionists in Gaza and said: “No single person in the world would consider the Americans unaccountable for the crimes against humanity of the usurper state of Israel, such as ethnic-cleansing, massacres, and all other forms of oppression of the Palestinian people; a matter that has weakened Washington’s position and status across the globe.”

He praised the Palestinians for their logical and righteous stance, adding that the Zionist entity should end its siege of Gaza; a fair and just demand acknowledged by all justice-seekers.

Ayatollah Khamenei then referred to the developments in Iraq, and expressed hope that the problems gripping that country would be resolved and with the coming to power of a new prime minister the seditionists and terrorists would be rooted out.