Leader Says Iranian Defiance behind US Enmity

“The main cause of all this enmity and fabrication of pretexts is [Iran’s] defiance of Arrogance [a reference to the axis of US and its allies],” the Leader said, while addressing a commencement ceremony for graduates of the Imam Hossein Military Academy in Tehran on Monday.

Ayatollah Khamenei was referring to the US hostile stances against Iran’s nuclear program, missile power and human rights record.

“Were the Iranian nation ready to surrender, they [the arrogant powers] would have compromised over [Iran’s] missile power and nuclear energy, and would have made no mention of human rights,” said the Leader.

Regarding Iran’s missile program, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “Recently they have embarked on massive [media] campaign, but they must know that such a hue and cry will have no effect, and they cannot do anything.”

The Leader said the US officials have acknowledged that the Iranian nation refuses to submit to the bullying tactics of arrogant powers, due to its adherence to Islamic ideology.

Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted “steadfastness”, “defiance of the enemy” and “safeguarding revolutionary and Islamic identity” as the main pillars of strength of the Islamic establishment and the Iranian nation.

“Americans and other powers are extremely sad at this issue, but have no other option. That is why they made huge efforts in order to bring the country’s decision-making and decision-taking centres under their control, but they failed, and thanks to God they will [continue to] fail to do so.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said that the arrogant powers had resorted to every tool in an attempt to “bring the Islamic establishment to its knees and force it into submission” but that the Iranian people had refused to follow the arrogant powers, due to their Islamic beliefs.