Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 4 June 2007

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Saturday the United States and Israel are his country's main enemies.

In a televised speech, Khamenei said hatred toward the U.S. is growing around the world.  His remarks come just three days after the United States rejected an Iranian suggestion to hold higher-level talks on the security situation in Iraq.

Iran suggested the talks as U.S. and Iranian ambassadors to Iraq met in Baghdad to discuss Iraq's security.

The U.S. has accused Iran of supplying weapons and training to Shi'ite militias in Iraq.  Iran denies the charge.

Khamenei's comments came as he marked the birthday of Imam Ali, the first Imam of Shia Muslims.

The United States and Iran have had little official contact for 27 years. 

Washington broke off diplomatic relations in April 1980 several months after Iranian activists seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took its staff hostage.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.