Frenemies

Iran’s Ayatollah Praises Obama

Downplaying military talk is ‘positive.’

Who knew that Iran would be praising the U.S.? Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared on the state-run Press TV Thursday and delivered the customary critiques of America, lashing out at President Obama’s threat to impose more sanctions on Iran if the country’s nuclear program continues. But in a surprise move that might signal a willingness to back off from the aggressive rhetoric, he also praised Obama for his speeches this week saying that he is not thinking of military action at this point, and that “loose talk” of war against Iran is dangerous. Khamenei said Obama’s remarks were “positive”—and then promptly warned him that his talk of sanctions will backfire on the U.S.