Ayatollah blames U.S. for economic woes

TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- A leading Iranian cleric during Friday prayers blamed U.S. hegemonic policies in Iraq and Afghanistan for the looming economic crisis hitting world markets.

"The Bush administration's aggressive policies in Iraq and Afghanistan are the main cause of America's financial angst and distress," said Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, a member of the Iranian Assembly of Experts.

He blamed the "economic tsunami" on the principles of liberal democracy, saying those who subscribed to Western ideals are falling victim to its imperfections, The Middle East Research Center said, citing Iranian state-run media.

"Certain people used to name Americans' liberal democracy as their utopia at the end of the history of mankind, claiming that the U.S. is master of the said utopia," he said. "(H)owever, we are today witnessing defects in the utopia and its crushing failure."

Khatami also called for European nations and other U.S. allies to distance themselves from Washington in order to avoid further economic calamity.

Iran had lobbied earlier this week for a non-permanent seat at the U.N. Security Council but lost its bid to Japan in the first round of voting Friday.