Khamenei comments on Obama speech

TEHRAN, June 4 (UPI) -- The supreme leader of Iran demanded American action before words hours before U.S. President Barack Obama delivered a speech to the Muslim world in Cairo.

Obama spoke before an audience Thursday at Cairo University in a major foreign policy speech outlining has ambitions for the Middle East.

"I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world," Obama said.

Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hours before the speech lashed out at the Obama administration, stating rhetoric alone is not enough to improve U.S. relations in the Middle East.

"The nations in the region hate the United States from the bottom of their hearts because they have seen violence, military intervention and discrimination," Khamenei said in statements published by Hezbollah's al-Manar news network. "The new U.S. government seeks to transform this image. I say firmly, that this will not be achieved by words, speeches and slogans."

Tehran and other regional capitals, including Damascus, have noted that while the Obama administration has come forward with statements of respect, earlier speeches were followed by decisions to renew punitive economic sanctions.

"Even if he delivers hundreds of speeches and talks very sweetly, there will not be a change in how the Islamic countries perceive the United States," said Khamenei.