Ayatollah Khamenei Warns Saudis of Iran’s Tough Reaction

Imam Khamenei on Wednesday sent a clear message to the Saudi government after a September 24 crush of people in Mina, near Mecca, killed thousands of pilgrims, including hundreds of Iranian citizens, during the Hajj rituals.

Addressing a graduation ceremony of Iranian military cadets in a naval base in the country’s northern port city of Noshahr, the Leader criticized Riyadh for failing to fulfill its duties to repatriate the bodies of the victims to Iran.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has had respect for fraternity in the Islamic world up to now, showing self-restraint and Islamic politeness, Imam Khamenei explained.

“However” Ayatollah Khamenei underlined “they (Saudis) should know that the slightest disrespect for tens of thousands of Iranian pilgrims in Mecca and Medina and failing in their duties to transfer the holy bodies (of pilgrims to Iran) will result in Iran’s severe and tough reaction.”

The Leader also called for the formation of a “fact-finding committee” with the participation of the Muslim countries, including Iran, to make an inquiry about the incident.

“We still do not prejudge the cause of the incident, but believe that the Saudi government has not fulfilled its duties about the Mina incident casualties and has left them stranded and thirsty,” the Leader deplored.

Ayatollah Khamenei also decried the Saudi government’s “mischievous” behavior about repatriation of the Iranian victims’ bodies.

The Leader then highlighted Iran’s crushing power against tyranny, reminding the Riyadh regime of Iran’s “upper hand” and “more capabilities” than many parties.

If Iran decides to show reaction to mischievous moves, the Saudis will face “no good conditions and will not be a match in any encounter” with Iran, Imam Khamenei pointed out.

Highlighting Iran’s great military capabilities, the Leader made a reference to the Iraqi imposed war in the 1980s, saying that all Western and Eastern powers and regional countries which supported former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussain finally “received a slap in the face.”

Imam Khamenei also slammed the targeting of homes, streets, markets and even wedding ceremonies in Yemen by Saudi Arabia as a sign of oppression against the weak and the lack of brave morale in an armed force.

Saudi Arabia has been involved in a military campaign against Yemen since March 26.

The Saudi airstrikes have claimed the lives of thousands of Yemeni civilians.