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On September 25, Ali Khamenei, the Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader, gave a speech commemorating the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq War, a conflict that caused immense suffering for the Iranian people. Rather than reflecting on the devastating toll, Khamenei praised the war effort, emphasizing the ideological and political significance of continuing the war beyond the defense of Iran’s borders. His remarks appeared to defend the decision of his predecessor, Ruhollah Khomeini, to prolong the war and justified the regime’s broader ambitions.
Remarkably, the clerical dictatorship stands alone as the only regime in the world that annually commemorates the start—not the end or a symbolic victory—of a devastating war that claimed millions of lives and caused billions in damages to both nations.
In his speech to a group described by state media as “veterans and defenders of the Sacred Defense,” Khamenei explained, “The reason why the Islamic Republic entered a war that lasted eight years must be clear to our younger generation. This was not just a defense of the homeland; it was about defending Islam. Imam Khomeini made it clear, and that is the essence of the war. The battlefield was a place of worship.”
Khamenei, visibly struggling with health issues and speaking with difficulty, further admitted that the war went beyond mere defense, suggesting that broader regional and ideological ambitions were at play. “The reason for the attack on revolutionary Iran was not limited to Saddam and the Ba’ath Party. Global powers, especially the United States and the Soviet Union, had as much, if not more, of an incentive to attack us. The Islamic Republic was an intolerable element for them in this sensitive part of the world, and they couldn’t accept our revolution and the new way of thinking we introduced,” he said.
Decoding #Khamenei’s Remarks While Appointing #Iranian Regime’s New Presidenthttps://t.co/Z18UCQ1MMq
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 29, 2024
In defending the regime’s use of child soldiers during the war, Khamenei attempted to reframe the issue as a matter of religious devotion rather than coercion. “We had young boys increasing their age in their documents so they could go to the frontlines. They would cry and beg their parents for permission to join the war,” Khamenei claimed, attempting to cast the practice in a positive light. He also added, “These young martyrs would write wills under enemy fire, reminding others about the importance of hijab. This shows the level of spiritual and religious devotion.”
The speech was also a platform for Khamenei to defend Tehran’s current regional interventions and missile programs. “Today, they accuse us of sending missiles and drones to other countries, but there were no such things back then. The real reason for their enmity is the people’s revolution in this pivotal region of the world,” he stated, suggesting that these actions were a continuation of the Islamic Republic’s revolutionary principles. “We presented a new way of thinking for global governance, which the prevailing world order at the time could not tolerate.”
Khamenei also used the occasion to address the growing criticism from within the regime about his regime’s increasing isolation on the international stage. He said, “Some people accuse the Islamic Republic of being isolated and at odds with the world, but this is false. We are working with nations where more than half of the world’s population lives. We have interactions, trade, and exchanges. The issue is not about isolation, but about standing against global arrogance, especially the dominance of the U.S.”
He dismissed international concerns about human rights, women’s rights, and the nuclear program as mere excuses to undermine the regime. “Some do not understand that the real issue is not nuclear energy, human rights, or women’s rights. These are just pretexts,” he said, referring to international criticism of the regime.
#Khamenei’s Key Appointment of Mokhber Completes the Puzzle for Perpetual Rule Over #Iranhttps://t.co/ygH9DYmy9B
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 25, 2024
Khamenei also hinted at increasing tensions within the regime, warning of foreign influence penetrating Iran’s cultural and educational systems. “We cannot accept that these foreign banners are being raised within our country by infiltrators. The enemy, whom we defeated on the battlefield, should not be allowed to advance through cultural and ideological means in our educational institutions, media, or government,” he cautioned. “This enemy must not be allowed to follow through with its plots within the country, especially in places like the Ministry of Education, state media, and universities.”
His remarks on Hezbollah, which has faced setbacks in recent weeks, also reflected his effort to downplay those losses. “Yes, they inflicted some damage and martyred key Hezbollah members, and certainly, this was a loss. But Hezbollah’s organizational and human strength is much greater than this,” Khamenei reassured his audience.
While refraining from empty rhetoric about hard revenge, Khamenei said, “The definitive religious ruling is that it is incumbent upon everyone to work towards returning Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque to their rightful owners.”
Although Khamenei attempted to project strength and conviction throughout his speech, his rhetoric betrayed a deep concern over the regime’s domestic and international standing. By defending the regime’s actions in the war and its current policies, he sought to rally his base while preemptively addressing growing dissent within Iran about the country’s economic crisis, isolation, and ongoing repression.
