Leader Receives Air Force Servicemen

On the occasion of the Iranian Air Force Day, the Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received a large group of Air Force servicemen, including high-ranking and commanding officers, on Monday, February 7.

On the occasion of the Iranian Air Force Day, the Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received a large group of Air Force servicemen, including high-ranking and commanding officers, on Monday, February 7.

In an address to the audience, the Leader referred to the Islamic Revolution and considered its victory and progression a result of the vigilance and awareness of the Iranian people as well as their resistance against the outside powers.

"The Islamic Revolution of Iran is the first great revolution in the world that has been able to bravely and powerfully maintain its movement on the right direction toward its lofty ideals," the Leader pointed out, adding that the Iranian nation on February 10 this year will once again display its national might and firm resolve.

The meeting was held on the 26th anniversary of the momentous event in 1979 when a group of Air Force servicemen paid allegiance to the late leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini.

Referring to the historic event in 1979, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces described the allegiance paid to Imam Khomeini at that sensitive juncture as a clear sign of awareness and vigilance of the Iranian nation and their heartfelt support for the Islamic Revolution.

"One of the major achievements of the Islamic Revolution was for the Iranian people to restore their independence and identity. The main reason for the hostility toward our revolution over the past 26 years has been the insistence of the Iranian people on their independence and opposition to the global dictatorship," Ayatollah Khamenei stated. He went on to say that what bothers the global arrogance, headed by the United States, about Iran is that a country and a nation that have long been dominated and plundered by the United States are today standing up to the U.S. and other arrogant powers with braveness and strength, rejecting their demands and refusing to yield to the global dictatorship.

The Leader of the Islamic Republic described the nationwide rallies and parades marking the 26th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, to be held on February 10, as the manifestation of national will and strength of the Iranian people. He noted that the February-10 parades, which are indicative of the strong will and firm resolve of the Iranian people and are staged every year nationwide, deter and discourage the enemies of the Islamic Republic, no matter how militarily and politically powerful they are, causing them to back off. He stated that by the favor of Almighty God, the same thing would happen this year.

The Leader further hinted at the U.S. officials' claims to support human rights and freedom and to combat terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. He stated that despite all these false claims, the United States is the main supporter of many dictatorial regimes and those that have taken power through military coups. "Even the most notorious terrorist groups that are often mentioned as posing serious threats have been fostered by the American Central Intelligence Agency. Besides, the butcher prime minister of the Zionist regime who openly talks about plans to assassinate Palestinians is widely supported by the United States."

Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the U.S. policies on the issue of Palestine are the main obstacles to the settlement of the Middle East conflict. "The U.S. politicians should be naïve if they think that the issue of Palestine can be resolved by disregarding the Palestinian nation and supporting a savage beast that is shedding the blood of Palestinian men, women and children."

Referring to the fact that the Palestinian Intifada cannot be suppressed, the Leader of the Islamic Republic stressed that the only solution to the Palestinian issue is provided by Iran's initiative, which calls for holding a referendum on the future of Palestine, asking the Palestinians to express their views on their own political destiny, and establishing a Palestinian government based on the results of this referendum. The Leader said that the established Palestinian government would decide about the non-Palestinian immigrants.

Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the awareness of Muslim nations and their opposition to the global dictatorship would bring about the failure of the U.S. "Greater Middle East Plan". Touching on the recent elections in Iraq, the Leader noted that the elections indicated the failure of U.S. policies for the region. He made it clear that if elections like these are held in any Islamic country, their nations, like the Iraqi people, will vote for those supporting Islam and their national identity and opposing the United States.