Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei has a $200 bln fortune: US embassy in Baghdad

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has a fortune of $200 billion dollars and is overseeing a regime of corruption, the US embassy in Baghdad claimed on Thursday amid heightened tensions between the two arch-rivals.

"Corruption is rife in all parts of the Iranian regime, starting at the top," a fiery post on the embassy's official page claimed.

"The possessions of the current supreme leader Ali Khamenei alone are estimated at $200 billion, while many people languish in poverty because of the dire economic situation in Iran after 40 years of rule by the mullahs," the embassy post added.

The US embassy Facebook account has in the past published similar attacks on Iran. In February, on the 40th anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Iran, it wrote: "After 40 years of wrong choices, it is time for the regime in Iran to reconsider its failed policies". 

The post drew immediate criticism from Iraqi politicians, including pro-Iranian Shia factions, many of them already displeased with continued US military presence in Iraq and explicit statements by US President Trump suggesting he wants to use Iraq as a platform to undermine Iran.

"These remarks violate diplomatic norms," said Taleb al-Bahadli, Dawa Party leader, in a phone call with The New Arab. 

"No foreign embassy must attack another country inside the host country," he added, calling on the government to act to curb such "mudslinging". 

This comes a day after Iran's supreme leader called the end of oil sanction waivers by the United States a "hostile measure" that "won't be left without a response".

Oil tensions

This comes a day after Iran's supreme leader called the end of oil sanction waivers by the United States a "hostile measure" that "won't be left without a response".

"US efforts to boycott the sale of Iran's oil won't get them anywhere. We will export our oil as much as we need and we intend," his official English-language Twitter account said, quoting from a speech he delivered to workers in Tehran.

The United States announced on Monday it would halt the practice of exempting countries including India, China and Turkey from sanctions on purchases of Iranian oil.

In May last year, US President Donald Trump withdrew Washington from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal with world powers, which had given the Islamic republic sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme.

Washington reimposed oil sanctions on Iran in November, but initially gave eight countries, including several US allies, six-month reprieves.

Five of the countries -- Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan -- have already heavily reduced their purchases from Iran.

Iran has said the sanctions are "illegal".

"They (the US) wishfully think they have blocked Iran oil sales, but our vigorous nation and vigilant officials, if they work hard, will open many blockades," Khamenei said in the speech, partially aired on state TV.

"Enemies have repeatedly, in vain, taken action against our great nation (and our) revolution... but they must know Iranians won't give in," he added.

Khamenei, speaking in Tehran, also repeated his stance that Iran should move towards the sale of oil derivatives such as refined oil and petrochemical products instead of crude.

With input from AFP