Leader Urges Nation , Officials to Focus on Defusing Sanctions

IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK

TEHRAN – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says revenge for Iran’s senior commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimeni, who was assassinated by the United States, is certain and will be exacted at the right time.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks on Wednesday at a meeting with organizers of programs to commemorate the first martyrdom anniversary of top Iranian and Iraqi anti-terror commanders, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and a group of their comrades.

The two commanders were martyred in a drone strike ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump near the Baghdad International Airport on January 3. Back then, General Soleimani was in the Iraqi capital on an official visit at the invitation of the Iraqi government.

The two figures were highly popular because of the key role they played in eliminating the US-sponsored Daesh terrorist group in the region.

Ayatollah Khamenei recalled the million-strong funerals that were held for the two commanders, saying the “unforgettable” ceremonies “surprised the arrogance’s soft war generals and served as a first severe slap in the face of the Americans.”

The Leader added that Iran’s retaliatory missile strike on the American Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq had been another slap in the face of the Americans

Ayatollah Khamenei said a tougher slap will, however, be the subjugation of arrogance in the software sector, which requires the efforts of revolutionary youth and faithful elite, besides the expulsion of the United States from the region, which demands the nations’ will and resistance.

“Of course, this harsh slap is separate from revenge, because those who ordered and killed General Soleimani must see revenge, and this revenge is certain [and will be taken] at the right moment,” the Leader added.

Ayatollah Khamenei said General Soliemnai’s “historic” martyrdom turned him into a hero for Iranians and the entire Muslim Ummah.

“The reason why martyr Soleimani became a hero for the Iranian nation and different strata of people (even those beyond imagination) honored him and expressed their feelings was that martyr Soleimani was the embodiment of cultural values of Iran and Iranians,” the Leader said.

He also mentioned courage and the spirit of resistance as two of the prominent characteristics of General Soleimani.

The Leader further said General Soleimani had “wisdom, ingenuity, sacrifice and altruism” and was a man of spirituality and sincerity, not hypocrisy.

General Soleimani defeated arrogance both during his lifetime and with his martyrdom, Ayatollah Khamenei said. “The U.S. president said that they spent 7 trillion dollars in the region but achieved nothing and finally he was forced to visit a military base for a few hours in the dark of night. The whole world acknowledge that the United States has not achieved its goals in Syria and especially in Iraq,”

“The hero of this great work is General Soleimani, which was done during his lifetime,” he added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader advised the people and officials to double their efforts to strengthen the country in economic, science, technology and defense sectors, and not to trust the enemy.

Ayatollah Khamenei further stressed the country should focus on neutralizing the sanctions instead of securing their removal, saying, “The lifting of sanctions is in the hands of the enemy, but neutralizing them is in our own hands.”

“Of course, we do not mean that we should not seek to lift the sanctions, because if the sanctions can be lifted, we should not delay that even by an hour,” he explained.

Criticizing Europe’s hypocritical behavior, Ayatollah Khamenei said that three European countries also showed extreme malice and hypocrisy.

He also urged Iranians to preserve national unity, calling on the country’s three branches of power to strengthen national unity through synergy and cooperation.

Referring to the imposed sanctions on Iran, Leader of the Islamic Revolution called on authorities to look for the ways to defuse sanctions rather than the ways to lift them.

“Of course, we are not saying that we should not seek to lift the sanctions. If the sanctions can be lifted, we should not hesitate to do it even for an hour,” he noted.

“If the sanctions can be lifted in a right, wise, Iranian-Islamic and dignified way, it should be done, but the main focus should be on defusing the sanctions,” Leader added.

“I support the officials of the country as long as they adhere to the goals of the nation,” Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted.