WarSclerotic

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said the United States and Israel were playing “good cop, bad cop” to intimidate his country into making concessions in the nuclear negotiations being held between Iran and world powers.

“They make it seem like Israel wants to attack, but America is stopping it: the good cop, bad cop trick,” Khamenei told senior statesmen at an iftar (fast-breaking supper during the holy month of Ramadan) function. “But I say out-loud: the reason they are not attacking is because it is too costly. The enemy has no other option at its disposal but make threats and impose sanctions.”

Israel has threatened to preemptively attack Iranian nuclear sites, and been skeptical about the current diplomatic drive by world powers to persuade Iran to scale back its nuclear program in exchange for relief in economic sanctions imposed over the years.

Israel believes Iran seeks to use its nuclear program to develop atomic weapons.

In a boost to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who has been accused of being too soft toward the West, Khamenei said: “All should know that I support his government and use everything in my power to help it. I have trust in our negotiating team and am sure they will not give in on the rights of this nation.”