"We do not have nuclear weapons and we will not build them but in the face of aggression from the enemies, whether from America or the Zionist regime, to defend ourselves we will attack on the same level as the enemies attack us," Khamenei said live on television.
"Americans are making a grave mistake if they think by making threats they will destroy the Iranian nation," he said in his annual speech to mark Nowruz, the Iranian New Year.
Israel and the United States have threatened military action against Iran unless it abandons nuclear activities which the West suspects are intended to develop nuclear weapons.
Further talks between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries are expected to take place next month in an attempt to reach a compromise deal.
The most recent talks between world powers and Iran failed in January 2011 because of Iran's refusal to suspend its sensitive uranium enrichment work, as demanded by several UN resolutions and major powers.
It says it has the right to develop a peaceful nuclear program under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
In his speech, Khamenei highlighted the country's nuclear achievements over the last 12 months - increasing uranium enrichment to 20 percent and loading domestically-made fuel rods into the Tehran Research Reactor.
"In a situation where the enemies were putting bets on the fall of the Iranian nation, and talking about the crippling sanctions, Iran has accomplished all these achievements," he added.
The US and its allies have imposed tough new sanctions on Iran since this year which western diplomats say show signs of having a strong effect on the Iranian economy.
Earlier, Khamenei unveiled a national production plan and urged the nation to buy domestically-made goods, saying it would help to defeat sanctions.
COMMENTS (21)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1713853507-0/MalalaHilary-(2)1713853507-0-270x192.webp)
@ALi: "@G. Din: You are definitely a Shia hater like Majority of the Muslims in Pakistan. " I am not a Pakistani, nor a Muslim. If I have any respect for any Muslim, it would be for a Shia Muslim. You, too, don't seem to have any idea about anything! And, if you are a Shia, it would disappoint me very much!
People give Iran way too much credit. Iran being intimidating or close to evenly matched is all in your heads. It's because the US and Israel are involved that you want to think so because you're desperate for a primarily Muslim nation to actually put some points on the scoreboard after all your big talk of your capabilities that have never, not even once, been accurate. Iran is the last chance for the extremist Muslims to one day validate their exaggerated self images of strength, entitlement and superiority.
@G. Din: You are definitely a Shia hater like Majority of the Muslims in Pakistan.
@common pakistani: The issue is Iran and its foolish leadership. Stick to that. Don't run around circles obfuscating the issue at hand! You, sir, have absolutely no idea what you are talking about: Iran, India, dictators, farmer suicides or anything else!
@G Din You have your own dictators in India. But it takes brains to recognise that. Just think why 250000 farmers committed suicide there. I think Khamenai is a much better leader than most of the scum in south asia, india included. At least they have never attacked any other nation in the last two hundred years.
"They plot and plan but God ALSO plans and the Best of Planners is God" (al-Anfal 8;30)
states has right to defend herself . whether it is pre-emptive strike or offensive strike .
Lets hope he thinks more coherently than he talks.
@Syed Hasan Rizvi: "And be respectful while commenting about such personalities." Here in India and the rest of the non-Muslim world we have nothing but contempt for "such personalities".
@Abba Jee:
I think you want Ayatullah to act like the khadimain -e- Haraimain Sharifain by7 consider US and Israel as their father.
Let suppose he take lesson from history then what do you expect from Ayatullah ? Should he refarin from talking in defensive language He is the most respectful leader in Islamic Countries becouse he stood firm against Zionist regime. The true example of Islamic leader who doesnt afraid of power of the enemy unlike Saudi Arabia. May God give him a healthy and good life
Someone explain to me-who gives the US the right to keep nuclear weapons? How are they so different from the rest of the world. Its quite simple...the US needs oil. Like the US needed oil in Iraq.
Saddam Hussain called the first Iraq war as MOTHER OF ALL WARS. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei needs a refresher course in History.
@G.Din by "same level" he didn't mean that Iran will use same (sophisticated) weapons. It means that aggitation will be HUGE and US/ Isreal will have to face far graver consequences than in the case of Afghanistan and/ or Iraq. And be respectful while commenting about such personalities.
@G. Din: Bro, this is not a Hollywood movie, neither is it an Iraq / Afghanistan situation. USA managed to capitalize on lies of Iraq's WMDs becuase Saddam was a dictator. Hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis were killed. But Iran will be altogether a different situation. You can expect much more killings and this time on all sides. Please come out of this cowboy mentality, why does it has to be a Vitenam everytime for your guys to understand! Why?
Every country would defend itself when it is attacked. The only exception today is Pakistan. You guys are being attacked by drones everyday and the leaders seem to be fine with it.
Pakistan helped train Jandulla with the help of CIA still Iran nothing has happened to Iran.
When Ayatollah Khameni can ask their nation to buy domestically-made goods which help their own nation then why can't Pakistanis stop drinking pepsi coke and focus on Pakola Apple Sidra...etc...Its just an e.g.
Just give business to Pakistani products.
One small step that Iran could take to enhance its image in the international community is to withdraw its support for the murderous Bashar Assad regime in Syria.
In the event of an Israeli attack on Iran, it will play into the hands of the regime, which is per se not popular among its citizens. They will rally behind the supreme leader in this crisis and demonstrate solidarity. The ambition of going nuclear for - alleged - peace purpose is a matter of national pride and prestige, an issue which unites both the regime and its people.
“We do not have nuclear weapons and we will not build them but in the face of aggression from the enemies, whether from America or the Zionist regime, to defend ourselves we will attack on the same level as the enemies attack us,” Khamenei said There you are! In one "brilliant" stroke, the Ayatollah has disarmed "America and the Zionist regime" of any and all weapons which Ayatollah does not have to attack on the same level (whatever that means). Do you have bunker busters, Ayatollah? Or, should "America and the Zionist regime" shelve them? How stupid can one get? Have you watched Obama's lips say: "All options are on the table"!
That is like saying "I will wet to dry myself".