Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met today with a large of group of visitors from the city of Tabriz. Speaking at the meeting, which was held on the occasion of the uprising of the people of Tabriz on February 18, 1978, the Leader described the impressive presence of the people in the February 11 demonstrations as a divine miracle. He further reiterated: "On the 22nd of Bahman, the Iranian people delivered a crushing response to all the opponents of the Islamic Republic, and they presented everybody with ultimate proof."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that unlike other social movements which grow weaker and less significant over time, the Islamic Revolution has grown more prominent inside the country as well as among different peoples. "The righteousness of the Islamic Revolution is the secret behind this permanence. It was for this reason that far more people took part in the demonstrations this year to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, and this year's demonstrations were far more impressive than previous years."
He added: "The enemies of the Islamic Revolution and some other people who - knowingly or unknowingly - act as the enemies' mouthpiece are making a lot of efforts to make it appear that the Islamic Revolution has strayed away from its original path. But the fact is that the current course and goals of the Islamic Revolution are the ones our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) delineated in the beginning of the Revolution."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed that if the Islamic Revolution had strayed away from its main path, so many people would not have taken part in the demonstrations on February 11 this year.
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that glory, power, and divine reward are the result of being loyal to the Revolution and its goals. He further added that if some people abandon their allegiance to the Islamic Revolution, they will only harm themselves, "The Islamic Revolution will continue its path strongly and those who abandon or oppose the Revolution will only harm themselves."
His Eminence referred to the impressive presence of the people in the February 11 demonstrations and reiterated: "The enemies and opponents of the Islamic Revolution, including the unaware and hostile opponents, had plotted a long time earlier to create confrontation among the people on the 22nd of Bahman. They had plotted to make it appear that the people were turning their back on the Islamic Republic. But relying on their awareness, insight, determination, and divine power, the Iranian people punched all the opponents in the mouth."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution added: "The people provided everybody with ultimate proof. And all the enemies of the Islamic Republic, including the foreign and domestic enemies, should wake up and stop being delusional."
Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated: "From a long time ago, some western leaders, especially the US President, have been claiming to support the Iranian nation. But the impressive turnout on the 22nd of Bahman disgraced and humiliated them before God."
He added: "There are some people inside the country who used to talk against the Islamic Republic and claimed to support the people, but the demonstrations on Bahman 22 showed what the people want and what they are looking for."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that a group of people were deceived under the delusion that the people had turned their back on the Revolution and the Imam. "But the 22nd of Bahman rallies were a crushing response to these people".
Ayatollah Khamenei also touched on the delusions of some arrogant powers about Iran and added: "These arrogant powers which are not even supported by their own people pretend that the global community is opposed to the Islamic Republic. But the global community, which is comprised of nations and governments, is dissatisfied with these arrogant powers and is by no means opposed to the Islamic Republic."
His Eminence stressed that it is natural for these arrogant governments, which are under the domination of Zionist companies, to oppose the Islamic Republic because it has spread justice in the world.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution further added: "We have to mourn the day when the endemic network of global capitalism praises us."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Islamic Republic will not give up its position which is supported by many nations and governments and is not afraid of such threats and opposition. He added: "I clearly state that we are opposed to the global arrogance and global hegemony. And we will not let certain governments play with the fate of the countries of the world."
The supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that holding such a position as well as the resistance of the Iranian nation are the reasons behind the lies which are spread about the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities and the issues of human rights and democracy in Iran.
He said that the Americans once again sent their agent to the Persian Gulf to peddle their lies. "But no one will believe what they say because the Americans have always thought of their own interests only and have never been concerned about the interests of the nations of the region. Rather, they have trampled upon the region as much as they could in order to further their illegitimate interests."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the US is the real war-mongering state in the region. "The US has turned the Persian Gulf into an arms depot and has attacked Iraq and Afghanistan. And now they are attacking parts of Pakistan. They spread lies against the Islamic Republic in such circumstances."
He further added: "All the peoples and many governments of the region know that the Islamic Republic is for peace and brotherhood among all the countries of the region and Islamic countries."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the recent remarks by the American officials as a passive move and reiterated that the Islamic Republic once again achieved victory over the arrogant powers this year.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the post-election events happened due to lack of wisdom and miscalculations on the part of some individuals. He further stated that the enemies tried to undermine the Islamic Republic through these events. "Not only did these events not undermine the Islamic Republic, but they made it even stronger than before."
He added: "The people realized after the elections that the enemy is lying in ambush. Therefore, they immediately entered the scene and will continue to do so in the future as well."