On June 4, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei marked the 25th anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s death with an address to hundreds at the late revolutionary leader’s mausoleum. Khamenei told Iranians that decades of “troublemaking” by the United States had failed to hold back the Islamic Republic. “It’s been more than 35 years since the West launched the largest political, economic and military attacks on Iran’s religious democracy, but Iran keeps advancing.” He warned, however, against “shifting focus away from the real enemy and on to [internal] disputes ... and losing national unity.”
Khamenei also lauded Iran’s accomplishments since the 1979 revolution in fields such as science and politics. He noted that Iran has held 32 elections in 35 years, usually with high turnouts. The following are tweeted remarks from the hour-long address and video clips dubbed in English by semi-official state television.
It's been 25yrs since the demise of @IRKhomeini but enthusiasm&passion 2know abt him hasn't declined neither in Iran nor in other countries.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014Not only in our country but also in other countries, youth of the age of communication and #Internet also seek to know more abt @IRKhomeini
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014Widespread propaganda agnst @IRKhomeini &IRI by western media's helped us by making global public opinion curious abt our revolution/goals.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014Western intelligences may report to their chiefs that they were able to suppress #IslamicAwakening but this awakening will continue.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014#IslamicAwakening may possibly be suppressed in some Islamic countries but will undoubtedly rise up again over time and will continue.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014It's over 35 yrs that west's launched largest political,economic,military attacks on #Iran's religious democracy but Iran keeps advancing.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014#Resistance of #Iran agnst western pressures w/out making a concession/a retreat,provoked curiosity of youth in other countries abt Iran.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014Despite all pressures, IRI launched satellites into space,achieved nuclear capability,ranked 13th in science production, ...
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014...It runs a 75million-ppl country,stands top in the region,stands against the #Zionist regime,doesn't oppress&doesn't give in 2oppression.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014Abt #democracy in #Iran;35 years have passed from our Revolution &during these 35 years we had 32 elections.Are 32 general elections a joke?
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014The elections in IRI are held w/high turnouts, sometimes more/a lot more than world's average;70%-72% turnouts.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014All this is thanks to the architect of #Revolution.To reach the goal,we shud not lose path of Imam which was based on rationality & #Islam.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014Islamic law revives freedom,independence,justice&spirituality in societies.Western democracy’s incapable of reviving all 4elements together.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014In Islamic establishment increasing popular power 2keep independence is meaningful but coercive domination ovr ppl’s opinions is meaningless
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014It's on you and I to continue @IRKhomeini's path. It takes our efforts to fill the untaken parts of this road map.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014The @IRKhomeini's path like all important paths towards great goals, has challenges and obstacles. We should recognize the obstacles.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014Our external challenge is troubles caused by global #arrogance. Let talk frankly; troubles caused by the US.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014The #US classifies the countries of the world into 3 categories: 1. the obedient, 2. those that should be tolerated, 3. the disobedient.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014#US supports the 1st category,of course not w/out costs!It uses their capabilities 2fulfill its interests &Supports all crimes by category1.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014When US wants to describe these countries most of which don't have parliaments/elections, it doesn't label them as #dictator but #patriarch!
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 20142nd category r countries #US tolerates due2 common interests but if it finds the chance,it'll stab dagger into their hearts,eg EU countries.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014#US spies on the highest ranking official in European countries and when it is exposed, they don’t apologize in a decent way.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014My understanding of the political issues is that it's a big strategic mistake by European countries to serve the US. #US will betray them.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 20143rd category r countries that do not surrender to #US's bully. US policy towards them is 2use every means against the disobedient countries.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014Military attack is no more a #US priority; they found that they lost in #Iraq and #Afghanistan so they seek coup & colored revolution.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014If a govt comes into power with 60% votes, #US selects agents fr the remaining 40% & makes them take to the streets to overthrow govts.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014We don't judge ongoing events in a part of Europe,but what does a US #senator do in a protest by a country's minority against their govt?
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014The 2nd way is to activate #terrorist groups. Many of the terrorist groups grew under #US http://t.co/7Ulj4VfW6A #MEK is embraced by #US.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014Third way is to create discord in the sovereignty of states. #US tries to create a dual sovereignty in these states.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 20144th way: To discourage people's hearts and thoughts from the foundations of their faith/beliefs by use of propaganda.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014These methods and other methods which the #US has applied against #Iran have all failed by the Grace of #God.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014Sometimes some1 does enmity against u but his enmity’s a function of another agent.Main enemy shud b found,or powers’ll drain on sub enemy.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014We've said repeatedly that we don't consider these insane groups that oppose #Iran,called #takfiri as main enemies.We consider them deceived
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014If they put up an effort to kill their Muslim brothers we don’t do the same but those who attack us will be faced w/our firm fist.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014We believe takfiris r not main enemies,but deceived by not-so-hidden hands of western intelligence services that set Muslims agnst 1another.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014Memory of that great man & the plan laid out by @IRKhomeini, can help us in these chapters;as it was until now & continues until the end.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 4, 2014