Ayatollah Khamenei

Supporting Palestine is an obligation Iran will fulfill: Ayatollah Khamenei

Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met Sunday afternoon with Ramadan Abdullah, the Secretary General of Islamic Jihad, and his accompanying delegation.

Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence stated that the realities behind the recent developments in the region are a result of the effort made by the western front – which is headed by America – to dominate the region through waging a full-scale war against the Islamic front, reiterating: “The full-scale war that is going on in the region is the continuation of the war that began against the Islamic Republic of Iran 37 years ago. In this confrontation, the issue of Palestine is the pivotal and most important issue. As the Islamic Republic of Iran considers supporting Palestine as its responsibility from the beginning, it will continue to carry out this responsibility in the future as well.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution mentioned that the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the issue of Palestine has not been and is not a temporary position, saying: “Before the victory of the Islamic Revolution – during revolutionary activities – the issue of supporting Palestine and the necessity to confront the Zionist regime was frequently reflected in Imam Khomeini’s (r.a.) views. After the victory of the Islamic Revolution too, supporting the people of Palestine was among our primary duties. Therefore, defending the Palestinian ideal is in the nature of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Ayatollah Khamenei added: “The Islamic Revolution achieved victory during a time when the Americans were at the peak of their power in the region. At that time, all affairs were seemingly developing to the advantage of the Americans, but the Islamic Revolution gave fresh impetus to the Islamic community and changed the regional conditions in a dramatic manner.”

Referring to various and comprehensive pressures in political, propaganda, economic and even military areas with the purpose of bringing the Islamic Revolution to its knees and forcing it to turn from its positions, His Eminence stressed: “What is going on in the region is, in fact, the continuation of the American confrontation against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

He stated that the main goal of the war that has been waged by the western front – headed by America – against the Islamic front is domination over the region. He added: “The regional developments should be studied and analyzed from this perspective. Within this framework, the issues of Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Hezbollah are part of this comprehensive confrontation.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution reiterated that under such circumstances, defending Palestine is the manifestation of defending Islam: “The arrogant front is making a considerable effort to introduce this confrontation as a war between Shia and Sunni.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Syrian administration is not a Shia one, adding: “But the Islamic Republic of Iran supports the Syrian administration because those who are confronting Syria are, in fact, the enemies of the essence of Islam and they are at the service of American and Zionist interests.”

His Eminence described the confrontation between Shia and Sunni as an imperialist and American plot: “In the current situation of the region, the most important issue is gaining a correct understanding about the two main fronts of this comprehensive confrontation and also about the correct position that we should adopt because if the line and distance between these two fronts is not understood correctly, it is possible that we will confront the Islamic front involuntarily.”

He stressed that with this macro-perspective towards the issues of the region, the Islamic Republic of Iran considers America to be its main enemy and the Zionist regime to be second in line: “Iran considers defending the Palestinian cause as its responsibility and it will continue carrying out this responsibility in the future as well.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the comprehensive and unprecedented sanctions of America and his followers against the Islamic Republic in the recent years and added: “The main purpose of imposing these sanctions is to discourage the Islamic Republic from taking the path on which it is moving forward, but they have failed to achieve their goals and they will continue to fail in the future as well.”

Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated: “On the basis of the divine promise, we believe that we will be victorious in this full-scale confrontation, as we have been victorious until today. This is because the enemies were after destroying the Islamic Republic, but not only does the Islamic Republic exist today, but it has also made progress in different areas and it has been expanded in terms of depth.”

Referring to the statements of the Secretary General of Islamic Jihad about the existence of some efforts to exert more pressure on Lebanese Hezbollah, His Eminence stated: “Lebanese Hezbollah is too strong to be harmed by these measures. In the present time, the Zionist regime is definitely more intimidated by Hezbollah than it was in the past.”

He stressed that the divine tradition about the victory of the camp of the truth over the camp of evil will certainly come true: “This victory is definite. Although it has some peaks and troughs and some heights and depths, the divine promise for those who assist God’s religion is inviolable.”

Thanking the Islamic Republic of Iran for its supports and positions on the issue of Palestine, the Secretary General of Islamic Jihad commented on the recent developments in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, saying: “Despite the fact that the siege is being continued and things are becoming more difficult, the people of Gaza have remained strong and steadfast. In the West Bank too, despite the fact that the Zionist regime is suppressing the people in a brutal and comprehensive manner, the flames of Intifada are being ignited with the determination and willpower of the new generation of the Palestinian youth.”

Highlighting the preparedness of the Resistance forces in Palestine and their incredible capabilities, Ramadan Abdullah pointed to the regional developments and said: “In their scheme, the Americans and the countries that follow them are after presenting an unreal image of the Islamic Republic of Iran and of the Zionist regime – that has been consigned to an afterthought. They are also after disintegrating the region through provoking a war between Shia and Sunni. This is why pressures on Lebanese Hezbollah have increased, but Islamic Jihad of Palestine has insisted on supporting Hezbollah and resisting America and the Zionist regime by having a correct understanding about the regional developments.”

Comment