On the occasion of the Iranian Air Force Day, the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received thousands of Air Force servicemen, including high-ranking and commanding officers, on Thursday, February 8.
The meeting was held on the 28th anniversary of the historic allegiance paid by a group of Air Force servicemen to the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution and Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran Imam Khomeini in 1979.
In an address to the audience, the Leader referred to the forthcoming February-11 anniversary of the Islamic Revolution's victory. He stated that the Iranian people on the 28th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution's victory will take part in the rallies and parades throughout the country more enthusiastically and more fervently than before and show to the world that they are still treading their glorious path with awareness and strength.
Ayatollah Khamenei also touched on the enemies' psychological operations against the Iranian nation. He stated that the enemies' psychological operations, which are aimed at dispiriting and demoralizing the Iranian people and diluting their participation in the rallies and parades marking the anniversary of the revolution's victory, indicate the weakness and helplessness of the enemies.
"The February-11 anniversary of the Islamic Revolutions' victory is the day when the intelligence services of the United States and Israel and Britain become angry and worried. This year also the Iranian people, through their glorious presence, will make these enemies exasperated and disheartened," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic referred to the threat of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, calling it a hackneyed issue.
"The United States and certain other countries have been imposing sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran for many years. However, despite all these sanctions, the Iranian people have made great progress in the fields of science and technology. Therefore, they are now trying in vain to make the Iranian nation afraid of sanctions, since when a nation has discovered its capabilities and fulfilled its potential, nothing will be able to stop it," the Leader observed.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the Iranian people, relying on their valuable experience of the past 27 years, will firmly stand up to any threat and will once again prove that the divine promise to assist the faithful and freedom-loving and justice-seeking nations is an inviolable promise.
Referring to the remarks to the effect that the power of the enemy should not be underestimated, the Leader stated: "This is a proper remark, and it also has deep roots in our rich culture. But is it wise not to underestimate the enemy but to underrate the grandeur and capabilities of the Iranian nation?"
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei hinted at the enemies' psychological operations against the Iranian nation and the rumors that have recently been spread by them. He described these tactics as indicative of the weakness and helplessness of the enemies.
"The enemies of the Islamic system spread rumors about the death or illness of Iranian officials so that they may undermine the Iranian nation's morale for a few days. But they do not know that in Iran they are not facing an individual but a nation, a nation that will inundate the streets throughout the country on the forthcoming anniversary of the Islamic Revolution's victory and display their power and vigilance and their perseverance in defending their religion and revolution and country in response to the enemies' plots and stratagems," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran also touched on the rumor that the United States is likely to launch an attack on the Islamic Republic.
"They cannot scare the Iranian nation through such rumors. Hasn't the United States attacked Iran in the past? Besides, the enemies know very well that any aggression against Iran will be followed by the full-scale reaction of the Iranian nation to the aggressors and their interests in all parts of the world," the Leader noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei also stated, "We believe that nobody would make such a grave mistake and imperil his country and interests. Of course, some say that the U.S. president does not act out of calculation, and that he would not consider the consequences of his actions, but it is also possible to bring such individuals to their senses. American analysts and policymakers realize that the Iranian nation would leave no aggression unanswered."
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic pointed out that the Zionist regime, by admitting that it has nuclear bombs, has intended to frighten the Islamic countries and Muslim nations.
"Fear is a termite that destroys the life structure of nations, and the Islamic world should remain vigilant in the face of these stratagems," the Leader told the audience.
Ayatollah Khamenei also described as a tragedy the Zionists' encroachment on Al-Aqsa Mosque. He stressed that the Islamic world and Muslim nations should display their abhorrence and hatred of those committing this heinous act.
At the beginning of the meeting, the commander of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army Brigadier General Ahmad Miqani presented a report about the numerous achievements of Air Force personnel. He also underlined the preparedness of the Air Force to defend the country and the values of the Islamic Revolution.