Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the Iranian nation’s massive demonstrations on the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution testified to people’s complete support of the revolution and the Islamic Republic.
“The nation … poured into the streets across the country on Feb. 11 this year and showed their meaningful resistance and opposition to stubborn enemies,” he said in an address to a group of people from the city of Tabriz, East Azarbaijan Province, on Wednesday, Leader.ir reported.
He described the demonstrations as people’s “historic Saturday”, saying he would bow to this great nation for creating this day.
Despite certain groups who deviated from the path of the revolution and became opponents, the nation maintained its identity and followed the direct path without fatigue and hopelessness, or fear of the enemies’ threats, he added.
The rallies also proved the failure of efforts by enemies and certain domestic elements to break the nation’s will and make the revolution’s way fall into oblivion, according to the Leader.
“One of the important purposes of the unrest in autumn was to cause people to forget Feb. 11 … but the people didn’t allow them to succeed,” he said.
He was referring to riots after the death of a young girl in police custody in September which later developed into violent clashes with security forces, claiming the lives of 200 people, according to Iranian sources. Tehran blamed the West for provoking violence.
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the importance of national unity as a pillar of strength for the country, saying differences of opinion should not lead to disputes and hostility, but must be addressed through polite and respectful debate.
He also said the general tendency of the Iranian nation is toward the revolution and its ideals.
There are some groups whose political ideas differ from those of the general public and authorities, but these are not opponents of the Iranian nation, he said.
“The opponent of the Iranian nation is arrogance and every one should care not to assist it or become its tool against Islam and dear Iran.”
Obvious Lie
The Leader later refuted the enemies’ “obvious lie” that the country is going downhill, stressing that despite problems, Iran has progressed significantly compared with two or three decades before.
“They sometimes say the Islamic Republic has reached a dead end, but if this is correct, it would naturally fall and collapse, so why spend so much to bring it down,” he said.
Any development that helps Iran become stronger infuriates the enemies who try to prevent such progress, as in their efforts to prevent Iran from improving its military capabilities, according to the Leader.
“A country with so many enemies needs to take care of itself and its nation,” he said, adding that the Islamic Republic has focused on its defensive power based on logic and will continue to do so in the future.
While Iran has invested several times more on other sectors such as industry and infrastructure, the enemies spotlight defense activities and play down progress in other areas, he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei also pointed to shortcomings in the country such as high prices, inflation and depreciation of the national currency, mentioning two possible approaches to these problems.
“One approach is to look at achievements and realize that there is an ability to address the shortcomings with the same determination,” he said, calling this a “revolutionary view”.
The other method is to take a “reactionary stance” and conclude that nothing can be done except grumbling and underscoring weaknesses, or rejecting the nature of the revolution and the Islamic Republic, he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei advised against the second approach, explaining that all nations have flaws, but must not deny their achievements.
“The solution is not destroying the roots and bases, but the correct approach is to cure the defects with a revolutionary view,” he said.
He reassured that the future is bright and the nation can have greater achievements given their capabilities and the capacities of the country.