Iranian ayatollah likes Occupy Wall Street

The Occupy Wall Street movement, which has spawned grassroots activities around the U.S. and prompted comments from President Barack Obama, has drawn political remarks from Iran.

Iran's top leader said Wednesday that the wave of protests reflects a serious crisis that will ultimately topple capitalism in America. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed the United States is now in a full-blown crisis because its "corrupt foundation has been exposed to the American people."

The remarks came a day after U.S. officials said the Obama administration plans to leverage charges that Iran plotted to assassinate Saudi Arabia's ambassador into a new global campaign to isolate the Islamic republic.

For 3 1/2 weeks, the economic protesters have besieged lower Manhattan's Zuccotti Park, near Wall Street.

A march on Tuesday, past the homes of wealthy residents, marked the first time the movement has singled out individuals as part of the 1 percent they say are getting rich at the expense of the rest of America.

Even as the weather turns colder, protesters have indicated they're in it for the long haul.

On Wednesday, police arrested four people outside the headquarters of JPMorgan Chase, where Wall Street protesters called in vain for a meeting with chairman and chief executive Jamie Dimon. Protesters accused the police of rough handling.

An Associated Press photographer saw police officers heading into the crowd to make the arrests.