Iran Retaliation Was Merely a Slap, but the U.S. Must Leave the Region

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei says Iran’s early Wednesday missile attack on US bases in Iraq following the American assassination of a top general was just “a slap”.

On the anniversary of people of Qom’s January 9, 1978 uprising, thousands of people from Qom met with the Leader of the Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, this morning January 8, 2020.

While meeting with the people of Qom this morning, the Leader of the Revolution paid tribute to the uprising of the people of Qom during the Revolution and stated, “This ceremony is being held auspiciously every year since forty or forty-one years ago. On January 9, the people from across the country look forward to the ceremony held by the people of Qom, on the significant and historical event.
Regarding the January 9 event (1978), we should think and learn lessons. Most of you, brothers and sisters present here, did not see that day. Yet, the memory of that day is alive. We should learn the lessons. The past should be used to guide us as a light in the path toward the future.”
His Eminence added, “On January 9, the people of Qom stood before the merciless armed forces of the [Pahlavi] regime, to defend the great Marja’, the honourable leader of the Revolution, who was not in Iran at the time. The people had no arms in hand. What drove them to engage? Faith and religious zeal. These are two keywords: faith and religious zeal. When those people of Qom came to streets and confronted the police and the regime’s forces, and some of them were martyred, some others injured; while the regime’s agents assumed they were obliterated; neither the uprising people of Qom nor others imagined this move could be the prelude to such a huge transformation—not only in our country but also in the world did anyone imagine that.”
Ayatollah Khamenei hailed the religious faith of the people of Qom that unleashed their uprising prior to the Islamic Revolution and asserted, “That move on that day which was carried out by the people due to their faith and religious zeal, was fortified by Exalted Allah, continued; and was followed by people’s turnout on every arbaeen [periods of forty days after the martyrdom of the killed protesters]. The honourable Imam Khomeini led the people, and it finally resulted in the extensive uprising of the people in next year’s Bahman [February], in 1979. So the move by a number of the sincere people of Qom initiated such a great revolution.”

In meeting with thousands of people in Qom, Imam Khamenei regarded Iran’s missile attacks on two American bases in Iraq as a slap and stressed that the main opposition involves ending the corruptive and detrimental presence of the U.S. in the region. He stated, “One of the great blessings from Hajj Qasem Soleimani’s martyrdom and spirituality was the enthusiastic turn out for the funeral ceremonies held in different cities in Iran and Iraq. These ceremonies for escorting him manifested to the world that the Islamic Revolution is alive, and I feel humble at what the great soul of this dear martyr granted to Iran and the region.”

Referring to the martyrdom of the honourable Commander of Islam and Iran, Hajj Qasem Soleimani, Imam Khamenei called the dear martyr a good, honourable and brave friend who ascended into the Higher Realm with felicity.

The Leader of the Revolution described Major-General Martyr Soleimani as having the two outstanding qualities of courage and wisdom.

Imam Khamenei went on to say, “From the time of the Holy Defense till the end of his life, Hajj Qasem would bravely enter the middle of danger. Meanwhile, he acted wisely, with thought, and logically. Not only in military fields but also in the area of politics, he enjoyed courage and wisdom at the same time.”

Referring to General Soleimani’s careful attention in safeguarding his companions, comrades and colleagues, the Leader of the Revolution added, “An important characteristic of Hajj Qasem was that in domestic affairs he was not involved in any party or other divisions, rather he was vigorously revolutionary and a strong adherent of the shining and blessed path of Imam (Khomeini).”

Neutralizing all the illegitimate plots of the U.S. in West Asia was mentioned by his Eminence as an example of the wisdom and courage of Martyr Soleimani, and he stated, “The enemies of Hajj Qasem are well aware of this fact.”

On this same topic, Imam Khamenei added, “Hajj Qasem stood up to all the plots formed with the use of the Americans’ money, capabilities, political influence and extensive organization and rendered them all null and futile.”

Noting the unprecedented impact of General Soleimani on the matter of Palestine, His Eminence added, “The Americans were trying to make the matter of Palestine be forgotten, and do something to weaken the Palestinians so that they wouldn’t have the courage to fight. However, this great man filled the hands of the Palestinians (empowered them) and gave them the courage and ability to fight. Referring to the frequent affirmations of this fact by Palestinian leaders, the Leader of the Revolution added, “What Hajj Qasem did, enabled a small region like Gaza to be able to stand up to the pretentious Zionists in such a way that the Zionist Regime was forced to request a cease-fire after just 48 hours.”

Source:khamenei.ir