Iran's Khamenei Warns Over West's 'Soft War'

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called on his fellow citizens to remain on guard against the West's "soft war" aimed at weakening the country.

"Our officials and all parts of the establishment should be vigilant about the West's continued soft war against Iran ... the enemies want to weaken the system from inside," the ayatollah said, according to Iran's state media said.

"By impairing centres of powers in Iran, it will be easy to harm the establishment from inside.

"The only way to materialise the [1979 Islamic] revolution's goals is national unity and not to obey the enemy."

The Islamic Republic's "enemies" were trying to manipulate official policy, he said, adding: "Iran's enemies try to influence decision-making centres, alter Iranian officials' positions and change people's beliefs.

"We should be strong and empowered."

The warning was issued at a meeting with members of the Assembly of Experts, the 88-member body made up of mainly older clerics that has the power to appoint and dismiss Iran's highest statesman.

Analysts say supporters of the hard-line leader have accused Iran's pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani of betraying the anti-Western values of the revolution that led to the fall of the US-backed Shah.

The hardliners hold the power in Iran, controlling the judiciary, the security forces, the Guardian Council - which vets laws and election candidates - public broadcasters and foundations that own much of the economy.

President Rouhani played a key role in the ending of a decade-old nuclear standoff with the West, reaching a landmark deal in 2015.

The deal allowed the lifting of international economic sanctions against Iran in return for Tehran promising to halt its nuclear development.