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Iran Will Give Strong Response If Threatened: Leader
Compiled From Dispatches
TEHRAN Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei here Thursday
called on the nation and Iran's armed forces to maintain their 'unity, vigilance and
full preparedness' in the face of threats from outside.
In a meeting with air force commanders and ordinary personnel, he also made a
veiled warning to the United States against its recent aggressive stance toward
the Islamic Republic which it has accused of forming an 'axis of evil' with Iraq and
North Korea.
'The Iranian nation, in line with their anti-hegemonic attitude, will never initiate an
aggression. But, if anybody challenges them or threatens their interests, the
answer of the Iranian nation will be strong, making the aggressors regretful,'
Ayatollah Khamenei said.
He slammed Washington's recent vitriolic attacks on the Islamic Republic, saying
the U.S. anger with Tehran was due to Iranians' anti-imperial stances.
'In America's eyes, the only good and acceptable countries are those which are
totally submissive to the U.S. and its expansionist policies,' the Leader said,
adding that such an attitude has led to an international disgust.
'It is not only the Iranian nation which hates you, but the whole world and nations
detest you as a hegemonic, arrogant, tyrant and hypocritical regime,' Ayatollah
Khamenei said in address to the U.S. rulers.
The Leader also described world superpowers' claims of defending human
rights, democracy and freedom as 'deceitful sloganeering.'
'The main goal of hegemonic powers is to expand their dominance on the world
and guarantee their illegitimate interests under the guise of such false slogans.
But, this strategy has failed and is not acceptable anymore,' Ayatollah Khamenei
added.
The Leader cited U.S. support of 'totalitarian, corrupt and stooge regimes such as
the Pahlavi dynasty' which was toppled in 1979 as a proof of the falsehood of
America's pro-democracy claims.
'They (the U.S. rulers) expect the great Iranian nation and its popular government
to act like hand-picked governments and execute America's policies. But, this
demand is not achievable,' he pointed out.
'The Iranian nation hates an interfering government which under the guise of
supporting human rights, democracy and freedom, backs the totally anti-human
regime of Israel and treats prisoners of war in Afghanistan and elsewhere in that
(regretful) manner,' the Leader said, in reference to U.S. treatment of Afghan
POWs, which has provoked international outcry.
He also criticized Islamic countries for their disunity in the face of U.S. rulers'
taunts, including President George W. Bush's challenging of Muslims with another
medieval crusade war after the September 11 terror attack on American trade
centers.
'If the Islamic ummah is threatened with a crusade war today, it is because of the
existing negligence and disparity among large parts of their ranks,' Ayatollah
Khamenei said.
Before the Leader's address, Iran's Air Force Commander, Brigadier General
Reza Pardis, reported on the combat preparedness of the force and said, 'the Air
Force, thanks to the reconstruction of its equipment and planes as well as making
use of advanced equipment and promotion of its capabilities, is ready to defend
the borders of the nation and the Islamic system.'
Also, in a message on the occasion of 'Martyrs Day' on Thursday Leader said that
the martyrs were symbols of national bravery, dignity and hope.
In the message read out by Head of the Martyr Foundation Hojjatoleslam Ali
Rahimyan at Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery, the Leader paid glowing tribute to the
martyrs of the Islamic Revolution and the Iraqi-imposed war (1980-1988).
The seventh day of the Ten-Day Dawn was marked as 'Martyrs Day'.
The Leader said, 'We honor the memory, sacrifices and the bravery of the dear
martyrs which is shining as symbol of national bravery and dignity.'
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