TEHRAN – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei visited the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, on Saturday ahead of the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, renewing allegiance to the ideals that reshaped Iran and ended decades of foreign domination.

During the visit, Ayatollah Khamenei performed prayers at the shrine and paid tribute to the martyrs of the Revolution, reaffirming continuity between the founding principles of the Islamic Republic and Iran’s present-day resistance to external pressure.

Sunday marks the historic return of Imam Khomeini from exile in Paris in 1979—an event that ignited nationwide protests against the U.S.-backed Pahlavi regime and culminated in its overthrow. The anniversary is commemorated annually through the Ten-Day Dawn celebrations in Iran and by supporters of the Islamic Republic worldwide.

The Leader’s public appearance came despite hostile media campaigns—most notably by London-based networks—falsely claiming that Ayatollah Khamenei was “hiding in an underground shelter” amid heightened tensions with the United States. Iranian officials say such reports are part of a broader psychological and information war aimed at projecting instability where none exists.

The visit also followed weeks of heightened rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened Iran with military action. Earlier this month, Trump openly encouraged armed rioters to seize state institutions, promising that “help is on its way,” while simultaneously presiding over a major U.S. military buildup in and around the Persian Gulf.

Peaceful protests over economic grievances—largely caused by years of U.S. sanctions—were hijacked on January 8 and 9 and then escalated through January 14 by foreign-backed armed groups and terrorist elements. The violence resulted in widespread arson, vandalism, and attacks on public infrastructure, shops, ambulances, and government facilities, leading to the deaths of scores of civilians and security personnel.

Despite the scale of the unrest, Iran says it successfully restored security, dismantled armed networks, and prevented the country from being dragged into chaos, frustrating what Tehran describes as a plan to pave the way for a second U.S. military assault in January.

With that scenario having failed, Trump has since shifted tactics—from overt calls for violence to threats of war unless Iran accepts a U.S.-imposed deal, warning that any strike would be “far worse” than the June 2025 U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, which occurred just days before indirect nuclear talks.

Iran has categorically rejected threats and intimidation, insisting that diplomacy can only succeed on the basis of mutual respect and international law. Officials say Tehran is prepared for a nuclear agreement that guarantees Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons but will not dismantle its peaceful nuclear program or negotiate non-nuclear issues under pressure.

President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at Imam Khomeini’s shrine on Saturday, said that Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and certain European actors sought to inflame unrest and deepen divisions inside Iran.

“The goal was to fragment the country and turn social concerns into hatred and conflict,” Pezeshkian said, noting that while some ordinary citizens were drawn into the streets, the use of firearms, arson, and attacks on security forces exposed the operation as something far beyond legitimate protest.

“In genuine social protests, people do not burn markets, attack ambulances, or kill soldiers,” he added, stressing that the government remains committed to listening to citizens’ economic concerns and addressing them responsibly.

Pezeshkian emphasized that the presence and guidance of Ayatollah Khamenei have consistently neutralized such plots, adding that Iran remains united and prepared to defend itself if confronted with aggression.

Iranian officials warn that any new U.S. or Israeli attack would not weaken the Islamic Republic, but instead risk a region-wide conflict with global consequences—a reality, they say, that makes coercion a dangerous and self-defeating strategy.