Cleric Says U.S. Seeks to Destabilize Nation

Spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei renewed harsh attacks on the U.S., saying it was intent on destabilizing the Islamic republic. His accusation comes days before CNN interviews moderate President Mohammad Khatami in what Tehran is billing as an address to the American people. The cleric’s harsh words contrasted sharply with Khatami’s unprecedented moves toward reconciliation with the U.S. and illustrated the power struggle between hard-line and moderate factions in the Iranian ruling hierarchy. U.S. leaders “want to build a gap between the people and Iranian leaders, and they want Iran to turn to the West and the United States,” Khamenei said. Khatami said in December that he hoped to have a dialogue with “the great American people.”