According to an Iran Press report, addressing a large crowd of worshippers and the faithful, Tehran's interim Friday Prayers leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ahmad Khatami stressed that even though the world has quite rightly noted the brutal and criminal nature of the Al-e-Saud regime, it is a pity that the international community has turned a blind eye to the myriad Saudi crimes in Yemen.
He added: "Tens of thousands of Yemenis have been killed by the Al-e-Saud regime, and 12 million Yemenis are facing acute food shortages and starvation. This criminal regime has a very bleak record."
Tehran's interim Friday prayers leader also said the Trump administration is trying to 'give cover' to the Saudi royal family, protecting and isolating the Al-e-Saud regime from blame vis-a-vis the Khashoggi murder.
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Turning to the recent terrorist attack and abduction of Iranian border guards near Mir Javeh in south eastern Iran, Ayatollah Khatami stressed that Iranian security forces and foreign ministry had already done 'a great deal', adding that he was hopeful that these efforts would yield positive results and before long, the Iranian border guards would be set free.
Commenting further Ayatollah Khatami said: "Our government must point out to the Pakistani government that it is unacceptable for Pakistan to become a safe haven for terrorists -- a place from where terror attacks are launched against Iran. This is not good neighbourliness and the Pakistani government should try harder to combat terrorism, and not to allow such incidents to happen in the future. If necessary, Iran and Pakistan should cooperate closely to uproot terrorism."
Turning to the debate in the Iranian parliament (Majlis) with regards to The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), financing of terrorism and money laundering, Ayatollah Khatami said: "Opponents and supporters of FATF in parliament must control their anger. Being angry and shouting at people does not solve any problem. It is totally wrong to tell the supporters of FATF that they are all betraying the nation and they are all traitors. It is equally wrong to shout at the opponents of FATF, accusing them of being oblivious of the problems which this country faces."
Tehran's interim Friday Prayers leader went on to issue this warning: "Forty years ago the Iranian people kicked out thieves and plunderers through the front door with the victory of the Islamic revolution. Today, those same thieves, the arrogant powers, want to enter Iran through the window -- a window of opportunity known as FATF. We must be very careful not to allow thieves to enter this country through the window of international laws and regulations, using FATF as a pretext. Plunderers who were kicked out forty years ago must not be allowed to return."
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khatami said: "Many international organizations are controlled by the hegemonic powers and are not reliable. The executive secretary of FATF has openly said that there is no guarantee that Iran's name will be removed from a black list, and when there is no guarantee, why should we sacrifice ourselves at the altar of FATF?"
Ayatollah Khatami added: "The FATF bill, passed by the Parliament, has to pass two other stages before it becomes legislation. It also needs to be approved by the Guardian Council and then if the Parliament was not satisfied, the Expediency Council will also debate the bill."
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