Imam Khamenei’s response to U.S. threats: We will respond decisively if anyone takes action

Ayatollah Khamenei, referring to the unrelenting struggle and conspiracies of the world’s bullies against the Islamic Revolution, stated: "They say 'first us,' meaning the whole world must prioritize our interests over their own, and this self-interest is something everyone can see today."

On Wednesday evening, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with thousands of students from across Iran, as well as activists from political, social, cultural, and jihadi student groups, delivered important advices on critiquing and evaluating issues, strengthening student identity, and reviewing aspects of contemporary history and current events.  

"Last year at this time, martyrs Raeisi, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Haniyeh, Safieddine, Sinwar, Deif, and several other prominent revolutionary figures were among us, but now they are not. 

For this reason, the enemy imagines we have weakened. However, I confidently assert that, although the absence of these highly valuable brothers is a loss for us, in many areas we are stronger than last year, and in some matters, we have not weakened at all."  

Ayatollah Khamenei, explaining the reason for the continued strength of the Resistance Front, said: "If a nation or group possesses two factors—ideals and effort—their overall movement will not be disrupted."  

The Leader described achieving divine guidance as the ultimate goal of every human being, adding: "Attaining success, prosperity, and salvation is only possible under the shadow of God Almighty’s guidance, which is a fruit of piety."  

In the main part of his speech, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution elaborated on the identity of the Iranian student by discussing two distinct experiences of Iranian youth in contemporary times when confronting the West and Western civilization. 

The Leader emphasized: "The result of the first encounter was 'infatuation and self-defeat,' while the result of the second was 'understanding Western civilization, selectively engaging with Western realities, a sense of independence, and, in some cases, a profound sense of difference and complete separation.'"  

He described the first encounter of Iranian youth with the West about a hundred years ago as the cause of the dichotomy of “a developed West and a weak, backward Iran” in their minds and stated that while this dichotomy was a reality at the time, it should not have led to self-defeat and blind imitation of the West. Observing the strengths of the other side should prompt one to seek solutions and address their own weaknesses, not prescribe surrender and obedience.

Ayatollah Khamenei described Reza Khan (the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty in Iran) as the symbol of destructive and ruinous Westernization, adding: "The British brought that bully to power, and later, when it suited their interests, they removed him. 

But during his time, Reza Khan’s circle of deviation entrenched the idea of subservience and assimilation into the West in all matters and issues of the country within public opinion, hollowing out the nation from within and left nothing national for Iranians—not a national economy, national domestic or foreign policy, nor even national clothing."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution attributed the second experience of Western presence in Iran to bitter events such as the occupation of parts of the country by Britain and Tsarist Russia, famine and the deaths of thousands of people, the suppression of domestic movements, and the imposition of humiliating agreements like the D’Arcy oil contract during Reza Khan’s era. 

The Leader added: "These events revealed the true nature of Westerners to the people, especially the youth, showing that behind their polished appearance and smiles lies a wicked and treacherous essence. This realization reduced the infatuation and fascination with Western civilization in the country."  

Imam Khamenei called the National Oil Movement a historic turning point in exposing the West’s true nature, noting: "While Mosaddegh relied on and hoped in America to fight Britain, it was America that dealt him a blow, orchestrating a coup against his government with American money and resources."  

Ayatollah Khamenei, emphasizing that the 1953 coup made it clear that relying on the West hinders progress rather than enabling it, added: "It also became evident that Westerners ruthlessly confront any phenomenon that conflicts with their interests and greed."  

The Leader cited the start of student movements against America—such as the uprising of Tehran University students on December 7, 1953 , against Nixon’s visit, during which three students were killed by the regime—as an outcome of the West’s true nature being revealed. 

Referring to the persistence of the pro-Western infatuation, despite its weakening before the victory of the Revolution, the Leader added: If the Revolution had not occurred in 1979, the country would have been on a path where increasing foreign dependencies would have deprived it of all its advantages and spiritual wealth, leaving it hollowed out.

The Leader described Imam Khomeini’s (God bless his soul) unique skill as his ability to connect and speak with the nation—not just a specific class or party—saying: "By reminding the people of their capabilities and their cultural and historical identity, Imam Khomeini awakened everyone from negligence. With trust in and demands from the people, he brought them into the arena, and the nation stood firm, unafraid, dismantling the enemy’s imposition and plunder."  

Ayatollah Khamenei, pointing to the unrelenting struggle and conspiracies of the world’s bullies against the Islamic Revolution, said: "They say 'first us,' meaning the whole world must prioritize our interests over their own—a self-interest that everyone can see today. Islamic Iran is the only country that has firmly stated it will never prioritize others’ interests over its own."  

The Leader described the enemy’s goal, particularly through new communication methods, as an attempt to restore Western influence and domination over Iran and revive the pre-Revolution spirit of passivity, subservience, and dependency among Iranian students.

In the concluding part of his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution addressed several points regarding negotiations with the United States.  

On the first point, the Leader described the U.S. president’s statements about readiness to negotiate, reach an agreement, and send a letter to Iran as an effort to deceive global public opinion, stating: "That letter has not yet reached me, but America wants to propagate the lie that Iran, unlike us, is unwilling to negotiate or reach an agreement. Yet this same person who says these things tore up the results of our negotiations with America. How can we negotiate with him now, knowing he won’t honor the outcomes?"  

Ayatollah Khamenei, on another point, said: "From the beginning, our goal in negotiations was to lift sanctions, and fortunately, as sanctions drag on, they gradually lose their impact." Referring to American claims that "we won’t let Iran acquire nuclear weapons," the Leader stated: "If we had wanted to produce nuclear weapons, America couldn’t have stopped us. The reason we don’t have nuclear weapons and aren’t pursuing them is that we ourselves, for reasons previously stated, do not want this type of weapon."  

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution called America’s threats of militarism irrational, emphasizing: "Threatening to strike or start a war is not a one-sided matter. Iran is capable of delivering a counterstrike, and it will certainly do so."  

The Leader added: "If America or its agents make a wrong move, they will suffer greater harm. Of course, we are not seeking war, because war is not a good thing, but if anyone takes action, we will respond decisively."  

The Leader described America as on a path of decline, adding: "In terms of economy, foreign policy, domestic policy, social issues, and other areas, America is weakening and can no longer wield the power it had 20-30 years ago."  

In his final point, Imam Khamenei described the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon as stronger and more motivated than before, stating: "Iranian officials, including the government and the president, are united in the view that we must support the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance with all our strength, and God willing, the Iranian nation will, as in the past, remain the flagbearer of resistance against oppression in the future."  

At the beginning of this meeting, six representatives of student organizations from across the country—Mr. Mojtaba Mangoli from the Office for Strengthening Unity, Mr. Mohammad Asadian from the Islamic Association of Azad University Students, Mr. Mehdi Bazmeh from the Student Basij, Mr. Mohammadreza Maryami from the Justice-Seeking Movement, Mr. Abolfazl Mohammadi from the Islamic Society of Students, and Ms. Reyhaneh Hassan-Qorban from student jihadi groups—expressed their views on the most important student and national issues.

At the end of the meeting, the Maghrib and Isha prayers were led by Ayatollah Khamenei.