With the shadow of US threats looming large, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rallied his people ahead of the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. In a powerful broadcast speech, he stressed that missiles and planes pale in comparison to the ‘firm determination and crushing response’ that define a nation’s power. ‘The enemy must be disappointed,’ Khamenei asserted, framing unity as the antidote to oppression.
This comes as Iran gears up for Wednesday’s countrywide rallies commemorating the 1979 uprising that ousted the Shah. The annual marches, Khamenei noted, serve as a dignified rebuke to foreign interventions, compelling outsiders to back off. Escalating US military presence in the region and ongoing sanctions amplify the urgency of his message.
Indirect nuclear negotiations in Oman last week failed to bridge the divide, even as both sides engaged through intermediaries. President Pezeshkian called the talks progress, born of Iran’s steadfast diplomatic push post the 2025 Israel-Iran war and US strikes on nuclear facilities. Washington, however, countered with fresh sanction threats, tightening the economic noose.
The revolution’s legacy remains central: a coalition of clerics, students, and activists under Khomeini ended decades of monarchical rule propped by America. The 1980 embassy crisis cemented severed ties, a rift enduring to this day. Khamenei hopes global powers witness Iran’s resolve this anniversary, fostering respect.
Diplomacy persists with Ali Larijani heading to Muscat for talks on bilateral and global issues. Oman’s role as mediator shines, with Foreign Minister Araghchi confirming consultations for upcoming nuclear rounds. Pezeshkian affirmed Iran’s nuclear program adheres to international accords, vowing reciprocity to respect but rejection of coercion.
As Tehran buzzes with pre-revolution fervor, Khamenei’s appeal underscores a nation poised between confrontation and negotiation, determined to chart its path unbowed.