TEHRAN - As more American warships move toward the Persian Gulf, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, warned that those vessels represent greater danger to the United States than to Iran — because in the event of conflict, they would be sunk.

Speaking to thousands of people from Tabriz ahead of the anniversary of the city's historic 1978 uprising, the Leader characterized the U.S. President's threatening statements as a clear expression of their intent to dominate the Iranian nation.

He emphasized that, despite the threats of war, the Americans understand that, due to their political and economic challenges and the potential damage to their international reputation, they cannot sustain such rhetoric. He added, "They are aware of the consequences they would face if they make a mistake."

Ayatollah Khamenei, responding to the U.S. President’s repeated boasts about commanding the world’s strongest military, said that sheer power does not guarantee victory. “Even the strongest military force can be struck so hard that it cannot rise again,” he emphasized

Commenting on another U.S. threat—the dispatch of a second warship toward Iran—the Leader stated: "While a warship is indeed a dangerous piece of military hardware, what is even more dangerous is the weapon capable of sending that warship to the bottom of the sea."

Highlighting the U.S. President's admission of the inability to eliminate the Islamic Republic even after 47 years since the Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei remarked: "This is a significant acknowledgment. I would also assert that you will not succeed, because the Islamic Republic is not a government separate from its people; it is founded upon a living, steadfast, and resilient nation."

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that the numerous economic, political, and social issues facing the U.S. are indicative of the decline and impending end of the American empire, stating: "The problem the U.S. has with us is its desire to dominate Iran, but the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic stand firmly in the way of that goal."

The Leader highlighted the irrationality of the corrupt and oppressive American empire as another sign of its decline, stating: "One example of their irrationality is their interference in Iran’s affairs, particularly regarding weaponry."

Continuing, the Leader referenced Imam Hussain's (pbuh) historic statement that someone like him would never pledge allegiance to someone like Yazid, noting: "Similarly, the Iranian nation declares that a culture-rich nation like ours will never pledge allegiance to corrupt rulers like those in the U.S."

Ayatollah Khamenei described the exposure of significant corruption in the “Infamous Island” as a reflection of the reality of Western civilization and liberal democracy, adding: "What we have heard about the corruption of Western leaders is one thing, but this island affair exemplifies another level. This case was hidden but has now been revealed, and many more instances of their vast corruption will come to light in the future."

The Leader called it essential and obligatory for the nation to possess deterrent weapons, adding: "Any country without deterrent weapons will be crushed by its enemies. Yet the Americans, by interfering in the matter of armaments, say that you must not have a certain type or range of missiles. This, however, concerns the Iranian nation and is none of their business." 

He considered the U.S.'s interference in Iran’s right to benefit from the peaceful nuclear industry for running the country and for medical, agricultural, and energy purposes as another example of their irrationality, addressing the Americans: "This matter concerns the Iranian nation. What does this have to do with you?" 

Ayatollah Khamenei recalled that the right to possess nuclear facilities and enrichment is recognized for all countries in the treaties and regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and he emphasized that American interference in national rights reflects the disorderly approach of their officials over time.

The Leader described an even more astonishing example of American irrationality as the way they invite negotiations, noting: "They say, ‘Come, let’s negotiate about nuclear energy,’ but the outcome of the negotiation must be that you have no nuclear energy!" 

Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that if any negotiation is to take place, pre-determining its outcome is a wrong and foolish act which is carried out by the American administration, the President, and some senators, and they do not realize that this path will be a dead end for them.

The Leader, explaining the nature of the mid-January sedition, added: “The intelligence and espionage agencies of the U.S. and the Zionist regime, with the help of the intelligence agencies of some other countries, for months recruited individuals with malicious tendencies or a history of wrongdoing, trained them abroad, provided them with money and weapons, and sent them inside the country to carry out sabotage and attacks on military and government centers, so that they could enter the field at the right opportunity, which came to them in mid-January.” 

He recalled that the trained elements sent some inexperienced and naïve individuals to the front, while they themselves entered the field with various weapons and a policy of violent and reckless action, and, like ISIS, acted with unbelievable brutality, “setting fires, killing, and destroying.” 

Ayatollah Khamenei described the main objective of these actions as undermining the foundations of the system, noting that law enforcement forces, Basij, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), and large numbers of people stood against the rioters, and the coup attempt despite all its preparations and enormous expenditures, was clearly defeated, and the Iranian nation emerged victorious.

Regarding the bloodshed during the unrest, he added that those few who were the ringleaders of the sedition attempting to stage a coup were killed, and their reckoning is with God. But we consider all the others who lost their lives as our own children and grieve for all of them.

The Leader classified the first group of victims— “law enforcement, Basij, IRGC, and the people accompanying them”—as the foremost martyrs of security, peace, and the soundness of society and the system. He stated that the second group, consisting of innocent passersby and civilians, are also martyrs, while the third group comprises those who were naïve and deceived, who followed the seditionists. 

Referring to the Americans’ admission of forming ISIS, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “That ISIS has more or less been eliminated, but these [violent seditionists] are ‘new ISIS’ groups, and all officials and the people must remain vigilant in this regard.” 

In conclusion, Ayatollah Khamenei described the “extraordinary demonstrations of January 11 and February 11” as “signs of God,” emphasizing: “The dear nation, which has been able to emerge victorious against the enemies’ plots and malevolent schemes in such a manner, must preserve this evident divine success through ‘preparedness, vigilance, and national unity.’”