Leader Warns Enemies of Iran’s Hard Response to Aggression
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei cautioned the adversaries against the “harsh reaction” they will have to suffer in case of any offense against Iran, stressing that the era of hit and run is over.
“The enemies should know that if they come up with the idea of an act of aggression against Iran, they will face a harsh reaction,” Imam Khamenei said in an address to a graduation ceremony of IRGC cadets in Tehran on Wednesday.
The Leader reiterated that the era of hit and run has ended, reminding the enemies that they might begin a war against Iran, but the decision to end it would not be theirs.
Ayatollah Khamenei then described enhancing “the Islamic Establishment’s deterrent power” as a grand policy that prevents international bullies from thinking about any assault against Iran.
The Leader further pointed to the “short-term, mid-term, and long-term” objectives the enemies are pursuing to undermine Iran, warning that their short-term purpose is to upset the country’s security and foment chaos.
One of the glories of the Islamic Republic has been its success to create a safe zone amid a region fraught with unrest and a world full of tensions, Ayatollah Khamenei went on to say.
As regards the enemies’ mid-term objective, the Leader referred to the attempts to harm Iran’s economy and destroy people’s livelihood.
The long-term hostile ploy against Iran is to overthrow the Islamic Establishment, Ayatollah Khamenei cautioned, saying that unlike in the past, the foes do not announce such an objective explicitly.
The enemies have now formulated plans for a “shift in attitude”, meaning that they seek to create divergence from the path of Islam and Revolution and from Imam Khomeini’s approach in a gradual process, the Leader warned.
Turning to the upcoming presidential polls, Ayatollah Khamenei described elections as an issue that could either raise Iran’s status or result in weakness and create trouble.
“If people take part in the elections, and such presence accompanies order, morality and observance of Islamic principles and law, the polls will definitely uphold the honor of the country and bring glory to it,” the Leader explained, arguing that law-breaking, immoral conducts and remarks that hearten the enemies will cause harm to the country.
Ayatollah Khamenei then recommended the six presidential candidates to focus on economic issues and the plans to improve the livelihood of people in their campaign pledges, urging them also to pay special attention to “national sovereignty” and the Iranian nation’s dignity in their electoral campaign.
The Leader also described “protection of national security and calm in the country” as another main issue that the candidates running for presidency must care about.
They should be aware not to incite differences between the country’s various beliefs, geographical positions, languages and ethnicities, Ayatollah Khamenei underscored.
The Leader further cautioned the candidates against moves or comments that may upset the country’s security and serve the interests of the enemy unintentionally.
“Anybody wanting to take any measure against the country’s security in the election will certainly receive a hard reaction and slap in the face,” Ayatollah Khamenei underlined.
“(The issue of) security is of great significance for the country, for the people, and consequently for me, and security must be fully maintained in the election,” the Leader added.
The 12th presidential election will be held in Iran on May 19.
Six candidates, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Ebrahim Raisi, Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim, Hassan Rouhani, Eshaq Jahangiri, and Mostafa Hashemitaba, are running in the race.
