In a message issued on Thursday on the 37th anniversary of the demise of Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, the Leader said the country’s enemies are now seeking to weaken the resilience of the Iranian people and create miscalculations among decision-makers after suffering setbacks in their confrontation with Iran.
The message was delivered as millions of people in Iran and abroad marked the anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s passing. Large crowds gathered at the late Imam’s mausoleum in southern Tehran to pay tribute to the architect of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and renew their commitment to his ideals.
Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei said hostile powers have concentrated their efforts within the framework of a hybrid war strategy designed to erode public confidence and sow confusion among officials, Press TV reported.
According to the Leader, the main objectives of the enemy are to spread doubt, fear, disappointment, mistrust, and division within Iranian society. He stressed that these plans can be defeated through vigilance, steadfastness, national solidarity, and mutual trust between the people and the country's institutions.
The Leader also underlined the responsibility of public officials in maintaining hope and confidence among the population, warning that actions or rhetoric that foster pessimism and despair ultimately serve the interests of the country's adversaries.
Elsewhere in his message, Ayatollah Khamenei described the anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s demise as an opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of a figure whose influence continues to shape Iran’s future.
He said many younger generations have not had the chance to know Imam Khomeini firsthand, while even some who lived during his lifetime may not fully appreciate the depth of his character and vision.
The Leader identified devotion to God and spiritual awakening as the foundation of Imam Khomeini’s school of thought, crediting him with transforming Iranian society and inspiring a historic popular movement that altered the course of the nation’s history.
Highlighting major turning points in contemporary Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the June 5, 1963 uprising, the massive public support for Imam Khomeini upon his return from exile in February 1979, and the unprecedented funeral ceremonies following his passing in June 1989 as examples of the enduring bond between the Imam and the Iranian people.
Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei also referred to the nationwide mobilization that followed the martyrdom of late Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, saying the Iranian nation has remained determined and active in defending the Islamic establishment and pursuing justice for the martyrs.
According to the Leader, both Imam Khomeini and the martyred Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei recognized and revitalized the immense capacities of the Iranian nation. He said their shared school of thought continues to inspire supporters who remain committed to defending truth, confronting injustice, and advancing the ideals of the Islamic Revolution.
Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei described Imam Khomeini as the architect of a historic transformation in Iran and the broader Muslim world, adding that the martyred Leader expanded and strengthened that legacy.
He also reiterated the importance of supporting oppressed nations and peoples, describing it as both a religious and humanitarian responsibility. The Leader said the United States and other arrogant powers oppose Iran because of its independent identity and refusal to submit to external pressure.