Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei said on Friday that the imports of new coronavirus vaccines from the United States and Britain will be banned by the Iranian government.

In a televised address marking anniversary of 1978 Qom anti-Shah protest, Imam Khamenei said the Iranian vaccine was a source of pride to the Islamic Republic.

'Imports of US and British vaccines into the country are banned.

I have told this to officials, and I'm saying it publicly now,' the Leader said as quoted by Iranian media.

'If the Americans were able to produce a vaccine, they would not have such a coronavirus fiasco in their own country,' his eminence added.

The local-made vaccine is a source of pride and honor, Imam Khamenei said, noting that health authorities in the Islamic Republic were trying to import vaccine from other different channels.

On the other hand, the Leader hailed Iran’s resistance against the arrogant powers that seek to destabilize the region, stressing that the Islamic Republic is committed to support its allies and friends in the region.

“Our presence means strengthening our friends.

We should not do anything to weaken those loyal to the Islamic Republic in the region.” “Iran’s presence is stabilizing and this has been proven.

We should not leave the country defenseless.

We should not do anything that would let the enemy dare” to undermine the Islamic Republic’s security and integrity,” Imam Khamenei said.

Meanwhile, the Leader noted that Iran was not in rush to return to the 2015 nuclear deal, stressing that lifting ‘cruel’ sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic was a ‘priority’.

“Western countries are obliged to immediately put an end to vicious sanctions against the Iranian nation.” “I repeat what I have said many times; they have to lift the sanctions, but we have to adjust the economy so that we can run the country in the best way despite the open sanctions.”