Tehran - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Saturday that Iran should not be afraid of political challenges, Western ballyhoos or dangers.

"Political challenges are natural and just reflect the forward trend of our Islamic system," the Ayatollah told foreign ministry officials, including Iranian diplomats abroad.

"We should therefore not be afraid of ballyhoos by the West and dangers, the foreign ministry should act with both courage and wisdom," said Khamenei, who according to the Iranian constitution has the final say on all state matters.

The ayatollah's remarks on state television came after the the European Union on Friday brought into force the latest round of UN sanctions on Iran in the dispute over its nuclear programme.

Khamenei said Iran has expanded the thought of resistance in the Islamic world, especially countries like Lebanon and Palestine, for achieving total independence instead of bowing to world powers. (dpa)