Iran condemns Boston bombing but criticizes US 'double standard' in backing violence elsewhere

In this photo released by an official website of the Iranian supreme leader's office, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, addresses a group of Iranian military commanders in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, April 17, 2013. Iran's top leader has condemned the bombing attack in Boston but at the same time charged that U.S. policies employ a double standard. (AP Photo/Office of the Supreme Leader) (The Associated Press)

Iran's top leader has condemned the bombing attack in Boston but at the same time charged that U.S. policies employ a double standard.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran is opposed to the killing of innocent people, whether in Boston, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq or Syria. He was addressing Iranian military commanders in Tehran. His comments were posted on his website Wednesday.

He criticized the U.S. for killing people with drones in Pakistan and Afghanistan and backing forces that kill others in Iraq and Syria.

Iran is the chief regional ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad and is considered close to Iraq's Shiite Muslim-dominated government.