US Hegemony Suffering Irreversible Collapse, Says Iran’s Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei says Washington has suffered a historic setback in military strength and global influence; vows a stronger response to any renewed aggression against Iran
TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has declared that the United States is experiencing an irreversible decline in both its military capabilities and international influence, asserting that Washington’s decades-long efforts to dominate Iran have failed in the face of the Iranian nation’s resistance.
In a message marking Iran’s National Day of Fighting Global Arrogance and National Students Day on November 4, Khamenei said the balance of power in the region was changing and that recent developments in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz had exposed what he described as the vulnerability of the United States and its regional allies.
The message commemorates the November 4, 1979 takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran by revolutionary students, while also highlighting Iran’s continuing resistance against what it calls US-Israeli aggression.
Khamenei said November 4 had acquired even greater significance this year, arguing that the Iranian nation now understood more clearly than ever the nature of its confrontation with the United States. He added that revisiting the historical roots of Washington’s hostility toward Iran was essential for understanding the challenges ahead.
Seven decades of US-Iran hostility
Tracing the history of tensions between Tehran and Washington, the Iranian leader said American interference in Iran dated back more than seven decades, particularly to the August 19, 1953 coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh.
He accused the United States of orchestrating the coup to secure continued access to Iran’s national resources, particularly its oil wealth, and said Washington subsequently supported the former monarchy by strengthening its security apparatus and suppressing political opposition.
According to Khamenei, US interference continued throughout the period preceding the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with Washington making extensive efforts to preserve the former government despite growing public opposition.
He said American hostility intensified following the Islamic Revolution, accusing Washington of supporting separatist movements, coup attempts and armed groups responsible for attacks on Iranian officials, intellectuals and ordinary citizens.
The Supreme Leader also accused the United States of providing extensive support to Saddam Hussein’s regime during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, shooting down an Iranian civilian passenger aircraft, imposing prolonged economic sanctions and supporting unrest and armed operations inside Iran.
He further cited the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, the freezing and seizure of Iranian assets abroad, and direct US military attacks during what he described as the Second and Third Imposed Wars.
Khamenei said the attacks had resulted in the deaths of numerous Iranian military commanders, scientists, intellectuals and civilians, including children, infants and elderly people. He also referred to the martyrdom of Iran’s previous Supreme Leader.
US seeking Iran’s surrender, territorial fragmentation: Khamenei
Khamenei maintained that the ultimate objective of American policy was not merely to change Iran’s political behaviour but to break up the country, undermine its political system, force its unconditional surrender and destroy its historic civilization.
He said successive US administrations had attempted to impose their dominance on Iran through military pressure, economic sanctions and political interference, but had repeatedly failed because of the Iranian people’s determination to defend their independence and sovereignty.
According to the message, Washington’s miscalculations had instead imposed substantial costs on the United States and governments dependent on its military and political support.
The Iranian leader argued that the confrontation had now reached a stage where November 4 was no longer simply an annual occasion for demonstrating opposition to American policies, but had become part of Iran’s broader national resistance.
Strait of Hormuz exposes US military vulnerabilities
Highlighting developments in the Persian Gulf, particularly the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, Khamenei said the situation had shattered the perception of American military invincibility.
He described Iran’s control over the strategic waterway and the destruction of US military bases in regional countries as responses to American aggression and what he termed crimes committed during the Third Imposed War.
He warned that any repetition of such aggression would invite a considerably broader and more forceful Iranian response.
Khamenei also argued that recent developments had exposed the limitations of governments relying on foreign powers for their security, adding that major international powers had demonstrated their inability to adequately protect their regional allies.
He described Iran’s regional posture, alongside what he called the strategic achievements of the Resistance Front, as evidence of a changing regional and international order.
Resistance Front and regional unity
The Supreme Leader praised the role of resistance movements across Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, saying their actions, combined with Iran’s national unity and military preparedness, were contributing to the emergence of a new world order.
He maintained that the confrontation between what he described as the Front of Truth and the Front of Falsehood would ultimately end in the defeat of the latter, regardless of its military resources and political influence.
Quoting the Holy Quran, he said falsehood was destined to perish, expressing confidence that faith, perseverance and sacrifice would ultimately determine the outcome of the confrontation.
No concessions to Washington, says Iranian leader
Rejecting the possibility that changes in American political leadership or negotiations with Washington could fundamentally alter US policy toward Iran, Khamenei warned against placing confidence in any shift in the American political establishment.
He said those believing that concessions could persuade the United States to abandon its hostility toward Iran were making a serious miscalculation.
According to him, Washington’s ultimate demand was the unconditional surrender of the Iranian nation, and even the slightest willingness to submit would undermine the achievements secured through decades of resistance and the sacrifices of Iranian martyrs.
He cautioned that concessions would only encourage the United States to impose additional demands, initiate further conflicts and pursue new acts of aggression.
National unity key to stronger Iran strategy
Emphasising the need to strengthen Iran’s national capabilities, Khamenei said the country’s long-term security depended on maintaining what he described as the strategy of building a “Stronger-than-ever Iran”.
He identified national unity, solidarity and social cohesion as essential pillars of the strategy, urging citizens and government officials to place national interests above individual and political considerations.
The Supreme Leader stressed that public support for state institutions must be matched by greater commitment from officials to public service, social welfare and economic improvement.
He called on government representatives to remain connected with ordinary citizens, protect their livelihoods and work towards improving the country’s material and spiritual well-being while safeguarding its independence and national dignity.
Youth urged to lead Iran’s future
Addressing students and young people, Khamenei described the younger generation as the principal force responsible for building a prosperous and powerful Iran.
He urged university students, schoolchildren and young professionals to reject despair, hopelessness and the belief that national challenges could not be overcome.
Instead, he encouraged them to embrace confidence, determination and the principle of “We Can”, stressing that education, scientific knowledge, professional skills, religious values, ethical conduct and hard work were essential for national progress.
He said the younger generation must equip itself with the intellectual, technical and moral capabilities required to overcome challenges and contribute to Iran’s future development.
Concluding his message, Khamenei expressed hope that Iran would achieve victory, prosperity and comprehensive progress through faith, national determination and collective efforts.
He also expressed confidence that the United States’ global dominance would continue to weaken, paving the way for a new international order.
Quoting another Quranic verse, he said: “Indeed, they see it to be far off, and We see it to be near.”
The message was signed by Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei.