WANA (Feb 12) – In a meeting with scientists, officials, and experts from Iran’s defense industry, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei emphasized that the February 10 rallies were a “message of national unity” in response to the enemies’ “foolish threats.”

 

Addressing the gathering on Tuesday morning, Ayatollah Khamenei described this year’s February 10 demonstrations as a “popular uprising” and a “great national movement” in defiance of enemy propaganda. Expressing deep appreciation for the people’s participation, he stated: “The nation loudly declared its unity and demonstrated the identity, resilience, and strength of Iranians in the face of repeated threats.”

 

Before the meeting, the Commander-in-Chief toured the “Eghtedar” ( power) exhibition for an hour, inspecting the latest achievements and capabilities of Iranian defense scientists and specialists.

 

The exhibition showcased advanced equipment and new technologies in “air defense, ballistic and cruise missiles, smart munitions, space technology, drones, aerospace systems, naval vessels, and energy sectors.”

 

Ayatollah Khamenei called February 10 a “great and historic national celebration” and congratulated the Iranian people on this transformative occasion. “No other revolution in history has seen its people take to the streets to celebrate its anniversary 46 years later,” he remarked.

 

He praised the participation of people from all walks of life—men, women, children, the elderly—despite the cold weather, calling it a “national and popular uprising.” He further described this year’s rallies as “one of the most significant and outstanding anniversary celebrations of the Islamic Revolution.”

 

The Supreme Leader also hailed President Pezeshkian’s speech during the February 10 ceremony as a powerful complement to the people’s movement. “The President expressed the nation’s sentiments and conveyed what was necessary,” he noted.

 

Referring to the relentless soft warfare and propaganda campaigns targeting the Iranian nation and its revolutionary leadership, Ayatollah Khamenei stated: “Despite such hostile efforts, the people took to the streets at the right time, in every city and village, to make their voices heard.”

 

He praised the defense industry exhibition as “one of the finest and most outstanding” and expressed deep gratitude for the dedication of Iran’s defense scientists, specialists, and personnel. “The nation should also be grateful for these capable sons of Iran,” he added.

 

Highlighting the importance of national defense and security, Ayatollah Khamenei asserted: “Iran’s defense power is now well-known; friends of the Revolution take pride in it, while enemies fear it. This is a crucial reality for any nation.”

 

Recalling a time when global powers refused to sell Iran defensive equipment even at exorbitant prices, he said: “Today, those same arrogant powers demand that Iran stop selling its military equipment. The shift from ‘we won’t sell to you’ to ‘you must not sell’ marks a significant transformation, made possible by the tireless efforts of our scientists and brilliant young specialists.”

 

He described Iran’s defense advancements as “extraordinary,” particularly given the persistent sanctions imposed by adversaries. “The state of our defense industry is such that if we are denied a specific component, our youth produce a better version domestically,” he remarked.

 

In outlining the necessity of continued progress in the defense sector, the Supreme Leader stated: “Our advancements have elevated Iran’s global defense ranking, but this does not mean we should be complacent. We started from zero, and despite our significant achievements, we still have a long way to go in many areas.”

 

He stressed the need for “maximum and continuous preparedness” against threats, emphasizing that defense advancements must persist across all military domains. “For example, if we once set a certain level of precision for our missiles but now require even greater accuracy, we must achieve it,” he concluded.