AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): In a gathering with thousands of people of Qom, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, emphasized on Thursday, January 8th, that over the past few decades, Americans have frequently made miscalculations regarding Iran.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, pointed out that during the era of the Pahlavi regime, Iran served as a stronghold of American interests. He explained, “From this stronghold, the Revolution emerged, and Americans didn’t realize it. They were deceived, asleep, and inattentive—this is what an American miscalculation looks like.”
The Leader highlighted that since then, over the past several decades, Americans have continually made mistakes in their assessments of Iran. He emphasized that his words are aimed at those who are overly influenced by American policies.
Referring to the enemy’s soft power tactics, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution explained: “Soft power involves spreading lies and creating illusions that distort reality in the minds of the public. When you become stronger, they propagate that you are weak. When they themselves weaken, they claim to be strong. When you become immune to threats, they say they will eliminate you through threats. This is propaganda, and many are influenced by it.”
He further stressed that it is now the primary responsibility of Iran’s media, cultural institutions, and activists—such as those in the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, state TV, and the digital space—to break down the illusion of American power, dismantle the propaganda, and prevent it from influencing public opinion. He pointed out that this is what the people of Qom accomplished during their historical efforts.
The Leader also addressed those who question why Iran refuses to engage with the U.S., despite having diplomatic ties with some European countries. He explained, “There is a clear difference. America once had control here—it was in their hands. That control has been taken from them. Their hostility towards Iran and the Revolution is deep-rooted and persistent—it’s not something they’ll easily let go of. This is what sets them apart from European countries.”
Ayatollah Khamenei elaborated further, saying, “Yes, some European countries may not be friendly to Iran, but this situation is different. America has lost a vast political and economic influence due to the Islamic Revolution. For over four decades, they have spent heavily in efforts to regain control over Iran, but they have failed. Their animosity towards the Islamic Republic is different—far more intense—than that of any European country. This is why we distinguish between the US and Western countries.”
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