12 September 2009 / AP, TEHRAN
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the country's reformist opposition on Friday it would face a “harsh response” for confronting the Islamic establishment.
The remarks were a clear threat to the Iranian opposition and reformists who have challenged Khamenei's authority in the aftermath of the disputed June presidential election. Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, has supported President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election and has dismissed opposition claims that Ahmadinejad's victory in the vote was fraudulent. The pro-reform opposition says Ahmadinejad stole the election through massive vote fraud and that its leader Mir Hossein Mousavi was the true winner. Khamenei, who led Friday prayers in Tehran, said authorities would strongly punish those who “take up the sword” to “confront the principles of the Islamic system.” But, he said, peaceful differences and criticism by officials would be tolerated. The sermon was broadcast on state television. “Confronting the system and drawing a sword against the system will bring a harsh response,” Khamenei said.
