Iranian leader warns against interference

TEHRAN, July 6 (UPI) -- The supreme leader of Iran said Monday his country would "react" to internal interference from Western nations.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a televised address at a ceremony for his birthday that interference in Iran's internal matters by Western nations will strain future relations, KUNA, the Kuwait News Agency, reported Monday.

"We strongly warn leaders of some Western countries not to interfere in Iran's internal matters, the Iranian nation will react," Khamenei said.

"Some leaders of Western countries at the level of president, prime minister and foreign minister openly intervened in Iran's internal affairs that had nothing to do with them, and then they said they don't intervene in Iran's internal affairs," the leader said.

Iran's state-supported PRESSTV said Khamenei was referring to countries blamed by officials for inciting unrest after the contested June 12 presidential election, including Britain.

Khamenei said that despite internal disagreements between Iranian leaders, they would be united against interference from other countries.

"In the event of enemy intervention, the Iranian nation, despite differences of opinion, will unite and become an iron fist against them," he said.