Ayatollah calls Bush claims 'vain'

TEHRAN, May 2 (UPI) -- Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, one of Iran's leading clerics, in a Friday sermon denounced Bush administration claims that Iran sponsors terrorism.

Khatami, a member of the Council of Experts, spoke at Tehran University, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported. He called the allegations "vain and worn-out."

"How can Iran, which has itself been a victim of terrorism, accept such an allegation," he said.

Khatami accused the United States of aiming at genocide of Muslims, citing sanctions against Gaza since the Hamas takeover there and U.S. military support of the Iraqi government in its crackdown on militias linked to Moqtada Sadr.