Leader Rejects US’ ‘Obedience’ Notion for Iran, Warns of Divisive Plots

In remarks at a meetingon Sunday with thousands of people from different walks of life, held at the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah of Tehran in commemoration of the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shiite Imam, Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran’s adversaries have realized from “their bitter defeats in military attacks” and from the “firm resistance and unity of the Iranian nation, officials, and Armed Forces,” that neither the people nor the Islamic Republic can be subdued by war or forced into obedience.

That is why the enemies now pursue their objectives through creating discord in Iran, the Leader warned.

Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that all people, officials, thinkers, and writers bear a responsibility to preserve and strengthen the “steel shield of the nation’s sacred and great unity.”

He described the Iranian nation’s steadfastness during the recent 12-day imposed war as a source of great dignity in the eyes of the world. The Leader posed the question: “What is the real reason behind the US’ persistent hostility toward Iran over the past 45 years?”

Ayatollah Khamenei explained that while successive US governments had long concealed the true reason for hostility toward Iran behind slogans such as terrorism, human rights, democracy, or women’s rights, the current US administration has openly admitted the reality by saying, “We (the US) want Iran to listen to us.”

The Leader stressed that Washington seeks nothing less than to turn a proud nation with a glorious history into a subordinate that obeys its orders.

Condemning such rhetoric as an insult to the Iranian nation, the Leader said the people will never tolerate such expectations and will firmly resist.

Ayatollah Khamenei linked the recent war to this same hostile agenda, saying the Zionist regime, with US backing, sought to eliminate the Islamic Republic but was struck with a humiliating defeat by the Iranian nation.

The Leader dismissed as a “baseless illusion” the enemy’s hope to drive a wedge between the people and the Islamic Establishment, noting that the nation has stood firmly alongside the Armed Forces and the administration.

He hailed the Iranian military units’ show of strength as a game-changer that won the gratitude of the entire Iranian nation, stressing that Iran’s power will continue to grow day by day.

Ayatollah Khamenei warned that since the enemy has now realized it cannot defeat Iran through war, it is turning instead to plots aimed at creating division inside the country.

The Leader cautioned against internal agents, Zionist influence, and careless voices that may fuel discord, while praising the Iranian people for maintaining unity despite political or social differences.

The Leader also underlined the necessity of preserving unity among all strata of society, between the people and the administration, among officials themselves, and between the nation and the Armed Forces. He noted that the enemy’s greatest effort today is focused on undermining this unity.

Describing the Zionist regime as the most hated regime in the world, Ayatollah Khamenei said even traditional supporters in the West, such as Britain and France, have been forced to issue condemnations -though only verbally and without effect.

The Leader strongly condemned the Israeli crimes, including starving children and shooting them while they wait in line for food, as unprecedented in human history.

Verbal condemnations alone are not enough, the Leader said, stressing that effective resistance, like the actions of the brave people of Yemen in blocking aid routes to the Zionist regime, is required.

Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated Iran’s readiness to take any possible action to counter Zionist crimes, expressing hope that God Almighty will bless the struggles of the Iranian people and all freedom-seekers, uproot the “deep and malignant cancer” of Zionism from the region, and awaken and unite Muslim nations.