US unable to weaken Islamic Iran: Major cleric

Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Movahedi Kermani in the second sermon of his Friday prayers in Tehran said that the US, Zionists and Saudi Arabia are considering making a regional and international consensus against Iran.

He noted 'The enemies cannot weaken the Islamic Republic because it is holy and blessed.'

The cleric described the Islamic Republic as 'powerful', adding that the US and its allies are nervous about it.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he condemned the recent riots north of capital, Tehran and praised the police's rational behavior towards the rioters.

The cleric also urged the Judiciary to show strong response to those who committed crimes and damaged people's properties during the riots.

In one of the streets of northern Tehran, there was a riot on Monday night. The riot was subdued by the security forces after a few hours and the main instigators were arrested. In addition to the five security forces, who were killed in separate car-ramming attacks and stabbing on Monday night, 30 others were injured in the protest.

9191**1771

Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish