Trump Invitation to Iran Rejected as Tehran Punctuates with Unveiling of New Missile

Seemingly never missing an opportunity to illustrate his rhetoric with a dramatic “show-and-tell” designed to twist the knife a little more, Iran’s Supreme Ruler, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei followed his rejection of President Trump’s invitation to hold talks with no preconditions with the unveiling of the next generation of Tehran’s short-range ballistic missile, the “Fateh Mobin.” The new weapon was praised as being “fully homemade” and precision-guided. The Ayatollah’s comments were reported by state television after Khamenei addressed a mass-gathering. He not only rejected President Trump’s call to meet but issued a ban on “holding any talks with America” which, he charged, “never remains loyal to its promises in talks.” He cited the withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal as “clear proof that America cannot be trusted.” Despite the bluster, observers believe the new American economic sanctions will have significant impact with the faltering Iranian economy. Trading in precious metals including gold, purchasing US currency or cars are all forbidden. Khamenei had tough words for his own president, accusing Rouhani’s government of failing to provide the strong economy they promised in supporting the nuclear deal with the US and Western nations.