Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is apparently opposed to a landmark nuclear deal reached with world powers, and will not allow the US to infiltrate and influence Iran politically, economically or culturally.

Although Khamenei has not publicly approved or disapproved of the deal, Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of the daily newspaper Kayhan and a representative of Khamenei, made the comments in an editorial Saturday.

It was the first time someone publicly claimed where Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, stands on the deal.

In this respect, ironically, Iran’s Supreme Leader agrees with Israel in opposition to the deal. Iran’s parliament and the Supreme National Security Council will consider the agreement in the coming days.

Shariatmadari said in the editorial that many parts of the deal threaten Iran’s independence, security and “the sacred system of the Islamic republic of Iran” and would be “disastrous” if implemented.

He also referred to a speech by Khamenei last month during which the ayatollah said, “Whether this text is approved or disapproved, no one will be allowed to harm the main principles of the (ruling) Islamic system.”

The editorial noted: “Using the phrase ‘whether this text is approved or disapproved’ shows his lack of trust in the text of the deal. If His Excellency had a positive view, he would have not insisted on the need for the text to be scrutinized through legal channels … It leaves no doubt that His Excellency is not satisfied with the text.”

Another prominent hard-liner and Khamenei representative, Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda, recently said the deal “crossed the red lines.” He said Khamenei said outsiders should never be allowed access to Iran’s security apparatus, but the deal violated that by allowing inspection of military sites.

However, Gen. Hassan Firouzabadi, the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces and a close Khamenei ally, backed the deal last week despite having concerns.

Khamenei says fate of nuclear deal still unclear

Khamenei said Monday the fate of a historic nuclear deal with world powers is still unclear as lawmakers in both the Islamic Republic and the U.S. review it.

The comments by Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters in Iran, suggests he supports allowing Iran’s parliament to review and vote on the deal. However, his remarks carried on his official website still offered no clue on whether he himself supported the accord.

Referring to the U.S., Khamenei said: “In their understanding of the deal, of which its fate is not clear since it is not clear if will be approved here or there, their intention was to find a way to penetrate into the country.”

He added: “We blocked the way. We will strongly block this way. We will not allow either economic penetration or political and cultural penetration into the country by the U.S.”

Iran’s parliament and the Supreme National Security Council will consider the agreement in the coming days. On Sunday, more than 200 Iranian lawmakers issued a statement demanding the administration of President Hassan Rouhani submit the deal to parliament for a vote.

The West long has suspected Iran’s nuclear program has a military dimension. Iran says its program is for peaceful purposes, like power generation and medical treatments.