Leader: Iran will maintain unfaltering stance whoever takes helm of US

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said that Iran will not be concerned about who emerges the winner of the US race for presidency and that the Islamic Republic’s stance towards the US hegemony will remain unaltered whatever the result of the election.

The Leader said, “Some may think that a government can benefit from submitting to the demands of the United States, but the governments that surrendered to American bullying have suffered the most and their troubles have only multiplied.”

“Iran’s policy towards the US is calculated and clear and does not change with the movement of individuals,” he stressed.

The leader noted that the arrival or departure of political figures might have implications for others, but that Iranians “will be unconcerned and the Islamic Republic’s policy will be unaffected.”

Ayatollah Khamenei further said the main reason for America's enmity with the Islamic establishment is Iran’s opposition to oppressive policies and its refusal to recognize hegemony.

“This enmity will continue and the only way to resolve it is for the other side to lose hope in the assumption that it can inflict a major blow to the Iranian nation and government.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also pointed to the allegations by American officials themselves of widespread cheating in the ongoing elections and said the incumbent president, whose administration is holding the vote, says this is the most fraudulent election in the United States while his rival says Donald Trump intends to cheat.

"Disregarding who will come to power in America, the current situation attests to a severe civil, political and moral decline in the US -- something that has been acknowledged by thinkers in the United States.”

French govt. defending freedom, but sheltering terrorists

The leader also censured the French government for supporting the publication of offensive cartoons of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) under the guise of free speech, while at the same time providing a safe haven for anti-Iran terrorists.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a televised address on Tuesday, marking the birth anniversary of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which coincides with the Islamic Unity Week festivities.

The Leader described what has recently transpired in France as the latest manifestation of the hostile confrontation of global arrogance and Zionism towards Islam, rather than being simply an error committed at the hands of a deviant artist. 

“Rather than being simply the result of a singular error committed by an artist afflicted with deviance and corruption, it indicates that there are hands behind this incident. Because a president suddenly stands behind an ordinary work of art and certain other governments lend him their support," the leader said, adding the policy signifies an organized intent.

The Leader pointed out to the outpour of anger and the protests in Muslim communities worldwide, adding the reaction is a sign that “the Muslim world is alive.”

Ayatollah Khamenei denounced the French government for defending “the cultural savagery and criminal act of a cartoonist” under the pretext of defending freedom of expression, exclaiming that this is the same government that has been sheltering the Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) terrorists, who have the blood of thousands of Iranians on their hands.

“There is a lesson in this. Here, the French government is linking the story to human rights and freedom of expression. Whereas it has been sheltering the most violent terrorists in the world. Those who martyred the Iranian president, judiciary chief, prime minister and several officials, as well as 17,000 ordinary people [decades ago].”

Ayatollah Khamenei also recalled how France had provided substantial assistance to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein when he waged an eight-year war against Iran during the 1980s.

“The French government was one of the biggest supporters of the regime of bloodthirsty wolfish Saddam during the imposed war,” he noted.

On the significance of Muslim unity

The Leader hailed the designation of the Unity Week by the late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini, noting that the recent developments and the rifts among Muslim countries underline the significance of remaining united more than ever before.

Ayatollah Khamenei also pointed to the treachery committed by certain states in normalizing relations with the Zionist regime of Israel, and trampling on the rights of the Palestinian people.

“Of course, the issue of Palestine is not over. Palestine will belong to Palestinians and the fake Zionist regime will be destroyed.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to Iranian students’ takeover of the former American embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979, commending it as a “perfectly rational” move.

“The 13th day of [the Iranian calendar month of] Aban was the manifestation of the Iranian nation’s fight against the arrogance… The US regime is an arrogant one, and a composition of many evils and mischiefs. It is both interfering [in affairs] and seeking monopoly. Therefore, putting up a fight against this phenomenon is tantamount to rationality.”

Karabakh conflict must be resolved swiftly

Additionally, the Leader referred to the current military conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave involving Azerbaijan and Armenia as “a bitter incident and a threat to the security of the region.”

"This military conflict must end as soon as possible. Of course, all the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia must be liberated and returned to Azerbaijan,” while the security of Armenians must be preserved and international borders must be respected by the warring sides, he said.

"Terrorists who, based on reliable reports, have entered the region should avoid approaching the Iranian border, and if they do approach the border, they will definitely be dealt with decisively,” Ayatollah Khamenei warned.

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