Iran supreme leader calls for unity

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-04-2008 08:59

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called on Iranians to stay strong to reduce threats from the US.

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali  Khamenei, delivers a speech, Thursday,  Jan. 3, 2008.  (AP Photo/ISNA,Morteza Farajabadi)

Washington is pushing for a third round of UN sanctions against Iran.

Meanwhile, a conference aimed to improve the oil and gas cooperation between Iran and Iraq was held in Tehran.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Thursday the US has not forced Iran to retreat from its nuclear ambitions and was now looking for new ways to threaten the country.

He urges Iranians to stay united.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, said, "At this time the only thing that can reduce the threats of our enemy is a show of our strength. If we appear to be weak our enemy gets even more defiant. Our enemy's obstinate behaviour will be stopped when it feels our power and strength."

On the same day, a two day international conference on Iran-Iraq oil and gas opportunities began in Tehran.

The conference is focussing on oil and gas resources, energy ties and cooperation.

Iranian Minister of Economy and Finance said UN sanctions have made the country strive for self sufficiency.

Davoud Danesh-Jafari, Iranian Minister of Economy and Finance, said, "Because the US' economic sanctions were imposed on Iran in the past, we worked hard and gained independence from the West. We invested in new technologies so we wouldn't need foreign companies' help and technology."

Danesh-Jafari also said that Iran and Iraq could work together to supply global energy demands.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei