WANA (Feb 17) – Iran’s Supreme Leader responded to recent threats by the U.S. president, stating that although the American president repeatedly claims to command the world’s strongest army, even the strongest army can at times be struck so hard it cannot rise again. He added that while the U.S. boasts of sending aircraft carriers toward Iran, a carrier is indeed dangerous, but more dangerous is the weapon capable of sinking it to the bottom of the sea.

 

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Seyed Ali Khamenei, during a meeting with the people of East Azerbaijan, referring to remarks by the U.S. president that America has failed for 47 years to eliminate the Islamic Republic, Khamenei called it a significant admission and said, “You will not be able to do so in the future either.”

 

“Predetermining the Outcome of Negotiations Is Foolish”

Ayatollah Khamenei also addressed U.S. statements and threats regarding negotiations, saying: “They say, ‘Come and negotiate with us about your nuclear energy,’ and that the result of the negotiations should be that you no longer have this energy. If negotiations are truly to take place — and in fact, there is no room for negotiation — if negotiations were to occur, predetermining the outcome in advance is a wrong and foolish act.”

 

He added, “You say let us talk about a certain issue and reach an agreement. Why do you determine the result beforehand and insist that we must reach this specific agreement? This is foolish. American presidents and some senators and others are engaging in this foolish behavior.”

 

Regarding recent remarks by the U.S. president, he said: “Sometimes he threatens, sometimes he says this must be done or that must not be done. This means they seek domination over the Iranian nation. The Iranian nation knows its Islamic and Shiite teachings well. It knows what to do.”

 

Quoting Husayn ibn Ali, he said: “Imam Hussein said, ‘Someone like me would never pledge allegiance to someone like Yazid.’” He added that the Iranian nation likewise declares that a nation with its culture, history, and high values will not pledge allegiance to corrupt figures who are currently in power in the United States.

 

“We Grieve For The Blood That Was Spilled”

Addressing recent unrest in Iran, he said blood had been shed, and the nation is in mourning. He divided those killed into three groups:

 

First, security and system defenders — including police, Basij, Revolutionary Guard forces, and others alongside them — whom he described as among the highest-ranking martyrs.

 

Second, bystanders who were killed during the unrest. He said they, too, are considered martyrs, as their deaths occurred amid what he described as enemy-instigated turmoil.

Third, individuals who were misled, inexperienced, or later expressed regret for joining protests. He said they are “our own children,” noting that some had written letters expressing remorse. Those killed among this group were also recognized as martyrs by the authorities.

 

He stated that, except for what he described as ringleaders and those allegedly funded or armed by foreign enemies, the rest — security defenders, bystanders, and even misled participants — are regarded as part of the nation, for whom prayers for mercy and forgiveness are offered.

 

“The Islamic Republic Is Not Separate From the People”

The Supreme Leader of Iran stated that the Islamic Republic is not a government separate from its people, but rather represents the living and enduring nation of Iran.

 

“The Islamic Republic means a living nation,” he said. “The Islamic Republic is not a government separate from the people. The Islamic Republic is the Iranian nation itself — this steadfast nation, this strong nation, this nation that is willing to work hard, to strive and make efforts for its own progress — and, by the grace of God, it has progressed over these 47 years.”

 

He added that in the early days, when the Islamic Republic was “a slender sapling,” its opponents were unable to uproot it.

 

“On the day when the Islamic Republic was a thin sapling, you were not able to pull it out of the ground and uproot it,” he said. “Today, by the grace of God, it has become a tall and fruitful blessed tree.”

 

Inflation and Currency Decline Are “Irrational”

Seyed Ali Khamenei urged government officials to redouble their efforts, describing the current level of inflation and the sharp decline in the national currency’s value as “irrational.”

 

“Whatever efforts officials are making, they must double them,” he said. “The existence of this level of inflation in the country is illogical. The fall in the value of the national currency to this extent is illogical. This must be corrected, and God willing, it will be.”

 

He noted that measures have already begun and stressed they must continue with seriousness and careful consideration. He called for resolving domestic problems and stabilizing the business environment so people can work, study, and conduct trade without concern.

 

“If there are threats, there are also mechanisms to neutralize them,” he said, expressing hope that calm and confidence would prevail in the country and that officials would succeed in their responsibilities.

 

LATEST UPDATES ON IRAN-U.S. NUCLEAR TALKS / FEB 17

WANA – Our team is closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the new round of Iran–U.S. nuclear talks here.   Swiss and Iranian Foreign Ministers Meet in Geneva WANA (Feb 17) – The foreign ministers of Switzerland and Iran met Tuesday afternoon in Geneva, as the city hosted a second round of indirect negotiations between […]

Read More...