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 "I don't know how to interpret it at this point in time, except to
take it at face value, that that's his policy," he said in the
interview with Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television, parts of which the
network quoted on Tuesday.
"But I do know that often comments are made publicly and things can
evolve that are different. If it is the policy, it's very
disturbing, it's very troubling," he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei told supporters on Saturday that U.S. policies in
the region were "180 degrees" opposed to Iran's, at a speech in a
Tehran mosque punctuated by chants of "Death to America" and "Death
to Israel".
 "Even after this deal our policy toward the arrogant U.S. will not
change," Khamenei said.
Several Gulf Arab states have long accused Tehran of interference,
alleging financial or armed support for political movements in
countries including Bahrain, Yemen and Lebanon.
Kerry said the U.S. believed its Arab allies had the ability to
confront Iranian interference in the region.
[to top of second column] |
"I think President Obama's belief and our military assessments, our
intelligence assessments, are that if they organize themselves
correctly, all of the Arab states have an untapped potential that is
very, very significant to be able to push back against any of these
activities," he said.
(Writing By Noah Browning; Editing by William Maclean, Andrew
Heavens)
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