SHAFAQNA (Shia News Association) — Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the Islamic Republic of Iran is today more powerful than ever before in its history.
“Today, the Iranian nation is by far more powerful compared to the beginning of the revolution in terms of political power and the power to influence global developments,” Ayatollah Khamenei said on Sunday.
The Ayatollah added that one of the examples of the progress of the Iranian nation is overcoming all political, military, security and economic challenges that have aimed to destroy the establishment over the past 33 years.
“What the enemies of Iran fear, and must fear, is not a nuclear Iran but the Islamic Iran,” the Ayatollah pointed out.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in the commemoration ceremony of the 23rd anniversary of the passing of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyyed Rouhollah Khomeini.
The Ayatollah further pointed to the Western allegations against Iran's nuclear energy program, saying what the world’s political and media circles say about the “danger of a nuclear Iran” are mere lies and deception.
“They magnify the nuclear issue to cover up their own problems. They place the Iranian nuclear issue at the top of their own and the world’s agenda, but this is not the truth of the matter.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said the sanctions that have thus been imposed against the country are pointless, adding, “Sanctions cannot bar the Iranian nation from moving forward.”
“The only effect that these unilateral and multilateral sanctions may have is deepening the Iranian nation's hatred and animosity towards the West," the Ayatollah stressed.
Ayatollah Khamenei further pointed to the Israeli threats of a military strike against Iran over its nuclear energy program, saying the war rhetoric indicates the Zionist regime’s “empty hand, fear and devastation.”
“They (Israelis) know that in these circumstances, they are more vulnerable than ever,” the Ayatollah said.
“Any misstep they might take and any improper move they might commit will come down on themselves like a thunderbolt,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
The Ayatollah added the achievements of the Islamic Republic over the past three decades have sent quivers down the spine of arrogant powers.
“The Iranian nation has proven that it can achieve progress independent of the US and even in the face of its animosity. This is a big lesson and that is what they fear,” the Ayatollah said.
The Ayatollah further cautioned against the US plots to create a rift between Shia and Sunni Muslims and said, “Today, the Americans are using Britain’s experience in causing a religious divide among Shia and Sunni Muslims.”
“Undoubtedly, the future will be better than the past for the Muslim nations, Islam and the Iranian nation,” Ayatollah Khamenei concluded. — www.shafaqna.com
