RNA - "The Americans have said that the Islamic Republic will not see the 40th anniversary of the revolution but this dream will never come true," Amoli Larijani told reporters in Tehran on Sunday, on the sidelines of the nationwide rallies to mark the anniversary of the US embassy takeover in 1979 and commemorate the National Day of Campaign against Global Arrogance and the National Student Day.
He referred to the Iranian nation's resistance against all the plots and sanctions of the US and its allies in the past 40 years, and said, "The US and the satanic powers in the region are declining."
Millions of people, including school and university students, in different cities across the country participated in massive rallies, chanting "Down with the US" and "Down with Israel" slogans to show their strong condemnation of Washington's policies against Iran.
The rallies were held one day after Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei referred to Washington's 40 years of hostility towards Iran, and stressed that his country had always won confrontations against the US.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in Tehran on Saturday, addressing the Iranian students ahead of the National Day of Fighting Global Arrogance and the National Day of Students.
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the continued challenge between Iran and the US, said, "The enemy made every attempts against us, with a variety of actions; the US engaged in military, economic, and media warfare against us. Via all these actions, the US aspired, in vain, to regain its previous domineering status over Iran — that it enjoyed during the Pahlavi Regime."
The truth is that, throughout the forty-year challenge, the defeated party has been the US, and the victorious party has been the Islamic Republic of Iran. The US is defeated because it has started the attacks without ever achieving the goals it pursued," he added.
The Leader of the Revolution described US power as declining, and asserted, "Today, an overview of the situation of the US shows that the US's power is declining. The US is today much weaker than it was forty years ago."
"Many of US politicians believe that the US's soft power has degraded. It was the same during Obama’s presidency, but it is even more evident today during the current administration. The world opposes every decision the US president makes; not only the people but also the governments oppose him," he added.
He referred to the liberal democracy as being exposed, and said, "Even liberal democracy is being exposed and disgraced. The current US president’s measures have made the situation worse for the US and liberal democracy, making them lose their remaining grace."
Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that the US hard power is also declining. "On the other hand, the US's hard power — that is, its economic and military power — is also declining. The US military force is largely confused; and as a result, they have turned to companies like Blackwater to advance their military purposes."
The Leader of the Revolution tapped on US economic crisis as another symptom of a decline, and said, "The same is true about the US economy. It suffers from more than $15 trillion dollars public debt and $800 billion budget deficit."
As another indication of the US defeat, Ayatollah Khamenei asserted, "The US failed to infiltrate the independence-seeking spirit among the Iranian youth. Our youth, across the country, have independence-seeking emotions. Some of them are not even very religious, but they are sensitive to the issue of foreign domination."
Indicating that today’s young generation in Iran, if not more exigent than the youth during the revolution, are not less vigorous, he reiterated, “These (independence-seeking) emotions have gradually spread to the youth in other countries, in particular, our neighboring countries, as well.
"Of course, the US regards Iran as responsible for a part of (anti-American sentiments), as neighboring countries oppose US forces. They blame us for that: Well, you have no right to blame us! The people of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Pakistan hate you (the US government); are we responsible for it? Why does the US government not understand that nations detest it? They have been exploiting them, as a result, the people hate them."
Ayatollah Khamenei dubbed the US sanctions on Iran as futile, and said, "Through sanctions, the US sought to curb Iran’s economy; however, as a result of the sanctions, a movement towards self-sufficiency expanded in Iran."
"The Iranian nation used to import products for many years, but now, they have developed a habit of producing everything."
According to Fars News Agency, Ayatollah Khamenei then added, "The US is declining. Everyone should know this. Those who incline to compromise are making impractical plans. This decline is not related to today or yesterday; rather it is a long-lasting situation. The US is doomed to degradation and perishment."
The Leader of the Revolution praised Iran’s growth despite enemies’ efforts to halt its progress, and said, "Contrary to the US decline, the Islamic Republic started from scratch and has been advancing during the past 40 years. Today, we witness a serious movement towards political and industrial independence in Iran."
Ayatollah Khamenei then advised the Iranian youth to be watchful in the face of US, and added, "I have some recommendations for the dear youth: First, never forget the US animosity and do not be deceived by their smile. Sometimes, they say they are not opposed to the Iranian nation, but to the Iranian government; they lie. The government of the Islamic Republic is nothing without the nation. The US animosity targeted the Iranian nation even before the revolution, via its agents inside Iran. Second, promote the theory of “Resistance against the fierce enemy.” This theory is practically and theoretically correct. Third, you, the youth, should regard yourselves responsible for the country’s development. Leave lassitude and fear and regard innovation as your duty. Know that the future of the Islamic Iran will be greatly better than the present time, and Iran will have the upper hand in international events. This is definitely true, and there is no doubt in it. You will see this future firsthand."
847/940