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Tweets from Iran’s supreme leader end hopes of cooperation against Islamic State Tweets from Iran’s supreme leader end hopes of cooperation against Islamic State
(about 1 hour later)
The Islamic State, the extremist Sunni Islamist group that has taken over much of Iraq and Syria, once appeared to be doing the impossible: Uniting America and Iran in their opposition to a common enemy.The Islamic State, the extremist Sunni Islamist group that has taken over much of Iraq and Syria, once appeared to be doing the impossible: Uniting America and Iran in their opposition to a common enemy.
While Iran was not mentioned in President Obama's speech on how to tackle the Islamic State, there was much speculation that the center of Shiite Islam's political world would have some kind of role. With its powerful military and interests in Iraq and Syria, it would certainly be a potent, though controversial, ally.While Iran was not mentioned in President Obama's speech on how to tackle the Islamic State, there was much speculation that the center of Shiite Islam's political world would have some kind of role. With its powerful military and interests in Iraq and Syria, it would certainly be a potent, though controversial, ally.
However, Iran was not present at meetings in Paris that sought to come up with some kind of coalition to fight the Islamist group. And it has certainly not, like some Arab states, agreed to take part in U.S.-led airstrikes against the extremists.However, Iran was not present at meetings in Paris that sought to come up with some kind of coalition to fight the Islamist group. And it has certainly not, like some Arab states, agreed to take part in U.S.-led airstrikes against the extremists.
Now that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is out of the hospital (where he had been undergoing well-publicized prostate surgery), the Iranian response to the plan seems unequivocal: It will not only not be a part of it, but it opposes it. Now that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is out of the hospital (where he had been undergoing well-publicized prostate surgery), the Iranian response to the plan seems unequivocal: It will not only not be a part of it, but it opposes it.
Khamenei's official English-language Twitter account released a series of tweets Monday, excerpted from a post-hospital interview, that made it clear what Iran thinks of America's plan. Khamenei's official English-language Twitter account released a series of tweets Monday, excerpted from a post-hospital interview, that made it clear what he thinks of America's plan.
Leader while back from hospital: US officials’ remarks on creating a #coalition in the name of fighting #ISIS is empty, shallow & biased. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014Leader while back from hospital: US officials’ remarks on creating a #coalition in the name of fighting #ISIS is empty, shallow & biased. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
Leader while back from hospital: US officials’ remarks on creating a #coalition in the name of fighting #ISIS is empty, shallow & biased.Leader while back from hospital: US officials’ remarks on creating a #coalition in the name of fighting #ISIS is empty, shallow & biased.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
Lots of evidence shows the contradictory & false claims&behaviors of US concerning #ISIS & its invitation of #Iran to join this coalition. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014Lots of evidence shows the contradictory & false claims&behaviors of US concerning #ISIS & its invitation of #Iran to join this coalition. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
Lots of evidence shows the contradictory & false claims&behaviors of US concerning #ISIS & its invitation of #Iran to join this coalition.Lots of evidence shows the contradictory & false claims&behaviors of US concerning #ISIS & its invitation of #Iran to join this coalition.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
The action which broke #ISIS’s back in Iraq was not done by #US but by the army & popular forces of #Iraq while US & #ISIS also know this. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014The action which broke #ISIS’s back in Iraq was not done by #US but by the army & popular forces of #Iraq while US & #ISIS also know this. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
The action which broke #ISIS’s back in Iraq was not done by #US but by the army & popular forces of #Iraq while US & #ISIS also know this.The action which broke #ISIS’s back in Iraq was not done by #US but by the army & popular forces of #Iraq while US & #ISIS also know this.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
I rejected US offer to #Iran abt #ISIS because US has corrupted its hands in this issue.Mr.Zarif rejected US Secretary of State’s offer too. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014I rejected US offer to #Iran abt #ISIS because US has corrupted its hands in this issue.Mr.Zarif rejected US Secretary of State’s offer too. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
I rejected US offer to #Iran abt #ISIS because US has corrupted its hands in this issue.Mr.Zarif rejected US Secretary of State’s offer too.I rejected US offer to #Iran abt #ISIS because US has corrupted its hands in this issue.Mr.Zarif rejected US Secretary of State’s offer too.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
Our disagreement on #Iran’s cooperation with #US over #ISIS is because the US itself has been involved in creating & spreading #terrorism. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014Our disagreement on #Iran’s cooperation with #US over #ISIS is because the US itself has been involved in creating & spreading #terrorism. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
Our disagreement on #Iran’s cooperation with #US over #ISIS is because the US itself has been involved in creating & spreading #terrorism.Our disagreement on #Iran’s cooperation with #US over #ISIS is because the US itself has been involved in creating & spreading #terrorism.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
US goal in planning a war on #ISIS is to dominate the region& turn #Iraq& #Syria to #Pakistan where it can commit #crimes whenever it wants. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014US goal in planning a war on #ISIS is to dominate the region& turn #Iraq& #Syria to #Pakistan where it can commit #crimes whenever it wants. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
US goal in planning a war on #ISIS is to dominate the region& turn #Iraq& #Syria to #Pakistan where it can commit #crimes whenever it wants.US goal in planning a war on #ISIS is to dominate the region& turn #Iraq& #Syria to #Pakistan where it can commit #crimes whenever it wants.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
While I was in the hospital, I had a hobby and it was to listen to #US officials’ remarks about the attack on #ISIS! — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014While I was in the hospital, I had a hobby and it was to listen to #US officials’ remarks about the attack on #ISIS! — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
While I was in the hospital, I had a hobby and it was to listen to #US officials’ remarks about the attack on #ISIS!While I was in the hospital, I had a hobby and it was to listen to #US officials’ remarks about the attack on #ISIS!
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
If the US enters #Iraq & #Syria without permission, they will go through the same problems as they did over the past 10 years in Iraq. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014If the US enters #Iraq & #Syria without permission, they will go through the same problems as they did over the past 10 years in Iraq. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
If the US enters #Iraq & #Syria without permission, they will go through the same problems as they did over the past 10 years in Iraq.If the US enters #Iraq & #Syria without permission, they will go through the same problems as they did over the past 10 years in Iraq.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2014
Most notably, Khamenei asserted  that the United States did indeed reach out to Iran for talks, despite reports that Washington was resisting calls for Tehran to be invited (the U.S. has not denied some kind of exchange with Iran). Most notably, Khamenei asserted  that the United States did indeed reach out to Iran for talks, despite reports that Washington was resisting calls for Tehran to be invited (the United States has not denied some kind of exchange with Iran).
Khamenei's remark that it was Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who refused a U.S. plan may also surprise some: Zarif had generally appeared relatively open to international cooperation since taking office in August 2013. Khamenei also appears to reference the widespread belief, in Iran and elsewhere, that the U.S. aided and abetted the Islamic State during their formative stages. Khamenei's remark that it was Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who refused a U.S. plan may also surprise some: Zarif had generally appeared relatively open to international cooperation since taking office in August 2013. Khamenei also appears to reference the widespread belief, in Iran and elsewhere, that the United States aided and abetted the Islamic State during its formative stages.
It is possible that some kind of talks are going on behind the scenes, and Khamenei's very public rejection of the plan is for show. However, other evidence suggests that Khamenei's comments should be taken at face value. Over the weekend, for instance, an unnamed Iranian official spelled out Tehran's position in an interview with Al-Monitor's Iran Pulse.  “Iran doesn’t trust the U.S., this is something the leader said before, and today all our commanders agree on: The U.S. can’t be an ally of Iran, and Iran can’t fight under the command of the U.S.," the official explained, adding: "We will continue to fight our war our way." It is possible that some kind of talks are going on behind the scenes, and Khamenei's very public rejection of the plan is for show. However, other evidence suggests that Khamenei's comments should be taken at face value. Over the weekend, for instance, an unnamed Iranian official spelled out Tehran's position in an interview with Al-Monitor's Iran Pulse.
“Iran doesn’t trust the U.S., this is something the leader said before, and today all our commanders agree on: The U.S. can’t be an ally of Iran, and Iran can’t fight under the command of the U.S.," the official explained, adding: "We will continue to fight our war our way."
For now, it appears that there are two parallel drives to destroy the Islamic State: One led by Washington, and one led by Tehran.For now, it appears that there are two parallel drives to destroy the Islamic State: One led by Washington, and one led by Tehran.