Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday the Islamic Republic would not yield to international pressure to abandon its nuclear course, threatening retaliation for sanctions aimed at Iran's oil exports.

'Threatening Iran and attacking Iran will harm America ... Sanctions will not have any impact on our determination to continue our nuclear course ... In response to threats of oil embargo and war, we have our own threats to impose at the right time,' Khamenei told worshippers in a speech broadcast live on state television.

'I have no fear of saying that we will back and help any nation or group that wants to confront and fight against the Zionist regime (Israel).'-Reuters