Iran’s Supreme Leader Warns Against Divisions, Says U.S. Seeks a “Submissive” Tehran
WANA (Aug 24) – Iran’s Supreme Leader, speaking at a religious ceremony in Tehran today, stressed the necessity of maintaining internal cohesion among the people, officials, and the armed forces, warning that this unity “must not be undermined.”
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that past experience has shown Iran’s adversaries that the “steadfastness and strong unity of the people, officials, and the armed forces” make it impossible to force Iran into retreat through war or military pressure. He added: “Now they are trying to achieve their goals by creating divisions within the country.”
Addressing different segments of society and the country’s elites, Khamenei emphasized that the duty of everyone — from ordinary citizens to writers and officials — is to “preserve and strengthen the steel shield of national unity.”
He also referred to U.S. policies, saying: “The Iranian nation firmly resists America’s insulting demands for obedience.”
His remarks come at a time when tensions between Tehran and Washington remain high, with both sides repeatedly accusing each other of destabilizing actions in the region. At the same time, the Leader’s emphasis on internal unity can be seen as a message to external actors that domestic divisions will not serve as an effective lever of pressure against Iran.
Khamenei’s Answer to a Key Question: Why Does the U.S. Oppose Iran?
Khamenei then addressed a broader question: “Why has the United States shown hostility toward the Iranian nation for so long?” He said this is not a simple issue, but a complex one with deep roots. “For 45 years, regardless of which administration, party, or individual has been in power in Washington, the hostility, the sanctions, and the threats against the Islamic Republic and the Iranian people have continued,” he stated.
According to him, in the past U.S. officials tried to mask the real reason behind various pretexts such as terrorism, human rights, women’s issues, or democracy. “Sometimes, if they admitted it, they would phrase it politely, saying that they wanted Iran’s behavior to change,” Khamenei noted. “But the current U.S. president revealed the truth. He openly said: ‘Our confrontation with Iran, with the Iranian nation, is because we want Iran to be obedient to America.’”
Khamenei emphasized: “What this means is that there is a power in the world that expects Iran — with all its history, dignity, and proud nation — to simply take orders. That is the real cause of their enmity.”
Underscoring that Iran will not accept such a demand, he added: “The Iranian nation is deeply offended by such an insult and will stand firmly against anyone who has this misguided expectation. Those who ask why we do not negotiate directly with America and solve the issues are being superficial.”
Commemoration ceremony of Imam Reza’s martyrdom among various segments of the public at Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyeh, attended by Iran’s Leader on August 23, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency
Leader of Iran Reveals Story of a Gathering of the Nation’s Enemies in a European Capital
The Supreme Leader of Iran recounted the events surrounding a meeting of Iran’s adversaries in a European capital, emphasizing: “On June 13, an attack was carried out against Iran. The very next day, June 14, a group of U.S. operatives convened in a European capital and began discussing a replacement for the Islamic Republic. I heard this reported on television just a few days ago. At the time, this information was conveyed to us. They were so confident that this attack would destabilize the foundations of the Islamic Republic in the country, so confident that it would turn the people against the regime.”
He added: “They were so certain that the day after the attack, they sat down and debated which government would rule Iran after the Islamic Republic, and even designated a king—deciding who should become Iran’s monarch. This was how they imagined Iran.”
Khamenei explained: “They assumed that this attack would create a rift between the people and the government, weaken the system, and allow them to impose their vile objectives. They thought they could carry out their plans without resistance.”
He emphasized: “I insist on this, and have said it repeatedly: the Iranian nation, through its steadfastness alongside the armed forces, the government, and the system, delivered a resounding blow to all of them. Among that foolish group convened to find a replacement for the Islamic Republic, there was even one Iranian—shame on that Iranian.”
The Supreme Leader also warned: “Everyone must remain vigilant! After their failure in the 12-day war, the enemy’s plan is to create dissent and break our unity.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Seyed Ali Khamenei at commemoration ceremony of Imam Reza’s martyrdom among various segments of the public at Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyeh on August 23, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency
“Today, the Zionist Regime Is the Most Hated Regime in the World”
Khamenei further stated: “Today, our enemy, the one standing against us, is the Zionist regime—the most despised regime in the world. Nations are disgusted by it, they detest it, and even governments condemn it.”
He continued: “Even the heads of Western states, who have always supported the Zionist regime, today condemn it. Of course, these are only verbal condemnations. Verbal denunciations are not enough. The crimes that the leaders of the Zionist regime are committing today are, in my opinion, unprecedented in history—killing children through hunger and thirst.”
The Leader added: “Shooting children who come seeking food—this, as far as I know, has no precedent in history. It has horrified nations. We must stand against this. Opposition cannot be limited to words; it is not enough for governments to say they are opposed or condemn it. Even France, the UK, and others have condemned it—but this is insufficient. The channels for aid to the Zionist regime must be completely blocked.”
He stressed: “What the brave people of Yemen are doing today is the right thing. In response to the crimes committed by the leaders of the Zionist regime, there is no solution except to fully cut off all means of support for them.”
Khamenei concluded: “We are fully prepared to do everything within the capacity of the Islamic Republic. We hope, God willing, that the movement of the Iranian nation and the efforts of the righteous across the world will be blessed, and that this deadly, deep-rooted cancer will be eradicated from this battlefield.”
Commemoration ceremony of Imam Reza’s martyrdom among various segments of the public at Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyeh, attended by Iran’s Leader on August 23, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency
Recently, a 12-day conflict erupted between Israel and Iran. In the end, the Israeli side, facing heavy blows from Iran and seeking to prevent a complete collapse, requested a ceasefire. This development underscores the resilience and strategic strength of the Iranian nation in defending its interests and maintaining regional stability.
