TEHRAN (AFP) – Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged the Iranian people on Monday not to elect a candidate in the June presidential election who could adopt a pro-West stance.

"Be careful in your choice. Do not let those come into office with people's votes who would want to surrender to our enemies and make the nation lose its dignity," he said in a televised speech in the western province of Kordestan.

Khamenei said that it would be a "catastrophe" for Iran if a candidate who "thinks about endearing himself to some Western power or an international arrogant" is elected next month.

"(Vote not for) those who would want to flatter the West and bullying Western powers in order to gain a position in the international arena. These things are of no value to the Iranian people."