Iran's Supreme Leader: "We Slapped the US"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, raised his voice on the 8th (local time), saying, "Last night, we slapped the face of the United States."

Khamenei made this remark during a national address held in Tehran regarding the missile "retaliatory attack" on the US military base stationed in Iraq.

He said, "This kind of military action alone is not enough in the confrontation with the United States. It is important to end the corrupt US military presence in this region (the Middle East)," urging the withdrawal of US troops from the Middle East.

Khamenei defined the United States, Israel, and Western institutions as "enemies of Iran" and dismissed the possibility of resuming negotiations on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also reportedly stated in relation to this incident that although the US may have "cut off General Soleimani's arm, the US's leg in this region will also be cut off," according to Iran Fars News Agency.

Meanwhile, when Khamenei mentioned "slapping the face of the United States" in his speech that day, the audience shouted "Death to America," BBC reported. Also, when Khamenei referred to Commander Soleimani's death as "a sign that the revolution is alive," many in the audience were seen shedding tears or shouting slogans of anger.