On October 27, 2024, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a speech asserting that only power will provide security for Iran. This statement followed an Israeli airstrike on military targets inside Iran on October 26. Khamenei warned that Israel has made miscalculations regarding Iran, stating that it does not "properly" understand the strength and willpower of the Iranian people, but that Iranians will make it understand.
He criticized those who suggest reducing military capabilities, such as long-range missiles, to avoid provoking Western superpowers, emphasizing that only an increase in power will ensure Iran's security. The address was met with chants of "Death to America! Death to England! [...] Death to Israel!" Khamenei spoke at a meeting with families of fallen security personnel, attended by Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the IRGC. The speech was published on his official website, Khamenei.ir.
Click here or below to view the clip on MEMRI TV:
"Some People Say That If We Want Our Country To Be Safe, We Should Be Weak, And Refrain From Obtaining Means Of Power – This Is A Mistake"
Ali Khamenei: "Some people suggest different analyses and have peculiar understanding of this issue, and they believe that if we want our country to be safe, we should refrain from obtaining means that might trigger the sensitivities of the [super] powers. For example, why do we need a missile with such and such range, which might trigger their sensitivities? These people imagine that they would be able to provide security for our country this way. In other words, if you want our country to be safe, you need to be weak, and refrain from obtaining the means of power. Some people think this way, but this is a mistake.
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"We Need To Get Stronger... A Stronger Iran Can Defend Itself, Provide Security And Progress, And Let Others Enjoy The Benefits Of This Power"
"The way to provide security is by power. All of us – the Iranian people and the state officials – need to realize that we need to become stronger. I have said this many times. We need to get stronger. Our people need to grow stronger day by day. A strong Iran can defend itself, can provide security and progress, and can also let others enjoy the benefits of this power.
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"We Need To Disrupt The Miscalculations Of The Zionist Regime"
"We need to disrupt the miscalculations of the Zionist regime. They have miscalculations with regard to Iran. They do not know Iran, its youth and its people. The Iranian people's strength, initiative, and willpower – [Israel] has not yet understood these properly. We need to make it understand."
Crowd: "Say: Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar! Khamenei is the Leader! Death to those who oppose the Rule of the Jurisprudent! Death to America! Death to England! Death to the hypocrites and infidels! Death to Israel!"
