Imam Khamenei: Iran Committed to Supporting Palestine / US Main Enemy of Iran with Zionist Regime Standing Behind It

AhlulBayt News Agency - Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran has been committed to its support for Palestine and will continue to fulfill this duty in the future.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks on Sunday in Tehran during a meeting with Ramadan Abdullah, the head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, and his accompanying delegation.

The Leader noted that, “The issue of Palestine is the main issue and as the Islamic Republic of Iran has been committed to its support for Palestine as a duty, it will continue to fulfill this duty in the future as well.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also asserted that, prior to the victory of the Islamic Revolution and during the struggle against the deposed monarchy regime, the issue of supporting Palestine and the necessity of confronting the Zionist regime had been reflected in late Imam Khomeini’s stances and after the victory of the revolution supporting the Palestinian nation were among our first duties; therefore supporting the Palestinian ideals are inherent in the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed out that defending the Palestinian cause in the face of the Israeli regime symbolizes defending Islam.

Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the Western governments, led by the United States, have initiated a war against the Islamic front in a bid to dominate the region.  He asserted that the issues such as Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Hezbollah must be analyzed within this framework.

 “The extensive war going on in the region is continuation of the same warfare which has been waged against the Islamic Republic of Iran since 37 years ago,” the Leader said. “Islamic Revolution triumphed in a time when Americans were enjoying highest rates of power in the region and all issues seemed to be in favor of the US; but the Islamic Revolution blew a new spirit into the body of the Muslim community and totally changed the region,” said the Leader and pointing to different political, economic, propaganda and even military pressures against Iran highlighted that “what is going on in the region today, is in fact confrontation of the United States with the Islamic Establishment in Iran.”

Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed that the global arrogance has put immense effort into portraying the regional conflicts as being between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

“Syrian government is not Shiite, but the Islamic Republic of Iran supports the government in Syria, because those confronting Syria are in fact sworn enemies of Islam and serve the interests of the US and Zionist regime,” he said. Ayatollah Khamenei termed sectarian conflict as a colonial and US plot; “the most important issue in current situation in the region is correct realization of the two main sides of this widespread conflict and to realize one’s own stance; because if the distance between the two fronts is not understood correctly, we might stand against Islam unwillingly.”

Ayatollah Khamenei reaffirmed that with this perspective in regional issues, Iran sees the United States as main enemy with the Zionist regime standing behind it.
He pointed to extensive, unprecedented sanctions of US and its followers against the Islamic establishment in recent years and dubbed the objective of the sanctions as discouraging Iran from continuing its path; “but they failed to achieve their goals and will fail in future as well.”

The Leader emphasized that the Islamic Republic had survived and thrived despite hostilities and said this is in accordance with Divine promise.

Touching upon the issue of Hezbollah in Lebanon which was brought up by Mr. Abdullah, Ayatollah Khamenei reasserted that “Hezbollah of Lebanon is strong enough and will not suffer from the pressure it faces. He added that is no doubt the Zionist regime is today scared of Hezbollah more than the past.”

He also underlined the Divine tradition of victory of those on the right path and said “the victory is absolute and despite ups and downs, Divine promise will certainly come true for the righteous people.”

Ramadan Abdullah Shalah for his part appreciated the support and stances of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the Palestinian issue. He presented a repot on the latest developments in Gaza and West Bank; “People of Gaza are still standing firm in spite of the blockade and tough conditions and in the West Bank, in spite of massive oppressions by the Zionist regime, flames of Intifada are still burning due to endeavors and will of Palestinian youths.”

He said the US and its allies are trying to present an unrealistic image of the Islamic Republic of Iran so that the Zionist regime can be ignored. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader noted that the US and its allies also seek the disintegration of the region through igniting sectarian conflict; and it is within this framework that there has been intense pressure on Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement. Ramadhan Abdullah noted that, cognizant of the current situation in region, Palestinian Islamic Jihad continues to support Hezbollah while resisting the US and Zionist regime.




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