Iran will not yield to the latest round of Western sanctions, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday, dpa reported.
"We have to accept the hardships and challenges but not give in to Western pressures," Khamenei said in a televised speech on the occasion of the Persian new year.
Iran faces a new round of international sanctions for its uncompromising stance over its nuclear programme, which Western countries fear aims to develop a weapon.
In addition to the economic pressure, Israel and the United States have not ruled out a military attack on Iran's nuclear sites.
Khamenei, who according to constitution has the final say on all state affairs, was clear that Tehran would not compromise, nor give in to the demands that it suspend uranium enrichment.