Iranians reflect on leader's speech

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Khamenei said that resisting the system would bring a harsh response

Iran's supreme leader has led Friday prayers in Tehran, vowing to confront those who threaten national security.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also sounded a note of conciliation, saying that "differences of views should not lead to conflicts".

Here Iranians reflect on Khamenei's words and the state of the nation.

AMIR, 28, Architect, Tehran

I went to hear Khamenei lead Friday prayers. The sermon was crowded but people were calm. I feel things are getting back to how they were before the election.

The ayatollah was right to say that the government should deal harshly with those confronting the system.

After the chaos in the post-election period I am definitely on the side of the regime

But I also felt that he was trying to unite people, as the father of the nation. He said there can be different views if people don't threaten the state.

He was right to point out that foreign countries have been trying to interfere with Iranian affairs. Some opposition politicians have been acting in the interest of foreign powers by dividing the country.

Ahmadinejad's government is now stronger than before because the opposition tried everything to bring down the government and failed.

I think this also shows that the silent majority support the regime. Look at today's sermon. It was packed with busy people who wanted to hear the ayatollah speak.

After the chaos and destruction of the post-election period, I am definitely on the side of the regime. I want things to return to normal.

I think some will continue to oppose the government. But I don't think there will be major demonstrations. And for now I am glad that the security situation has improved.

ARYA, 23, student, Tehran

This sermon was another example of the ayatollah putting out mixed messages. At times Khamenei has appeared very harsh, and at other times he has appeared conciliatory.

Khamenei is trying to say that the government and the regime are one and the same

I think this is because he is under a lot of pressure. Ahmadinejad's government wants him to be tough. But at the same time he knows the regime has been damaged by the protests and he is trying to keep things together.

In theory Khamenei could bring people together. But to do so he has to listen to the opposition. Even if Ahmadinejad did win the election, there are many Iranians who did not vote for him. And the regime should listen to them.

He said the opposition should not threaten the state. Khamenei is trying to say that the government and the regime are one and the same.

I don't know if the protests will continue. The government has set no limits to how it will deal with the opposition. Everything now depends on how opposition leaders such as Mousavi and Karroubi will react.

The mood is not happy in Iran. But at the same time, people feel empowered because they were able to express their opposition on the streets.

I would like to see demonstrations continuing until there is some change, until Ahmadinejad resigns. In reality, I don't think he ever will step down. But everyone knows there has been a major change since the protests and nothing will be the same again.