“Both the former and new administrations in the United States have been threatening us with wars,” said the Leader addressing a large group of visiting people from Tabriz.
“They have always said that the military option is on the table,” he said.
“But the real war remains to be an economic one, the imposition of sanctions and denying the people the chance to promote businesses and economic and technological activities in the country,” the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei also recalled comments by some European officials warning Iranian authorities that Iran had to go to war in the absence of the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Such comments are just plain lies, the Leader said, elaborating on why some insist on threatening Iran with a war option.
“They just want to keep us too much involved with a military war to detract us from the economic war we face,” he said.
“The real war is also a cultural one,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, meantime, urged officials to exercise vigilance and use all in their capacity to address issues like unemployment, recession, high costs and discriminations.
Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to sustained efforts by foreign intelligence agencies, including the CIA, Mossad and the British intelligence service and their propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“During the whole year, hundreds of satellite and social media networks run by (politically) bankrupt people who have fled the country never stop to humiliate and weaken the Islamic establishment and making allegations against it,” the Supreme Leader said.
He said that the Iranian people, by attending demonstrations across the country on the victory anniversary day of the Islamic Revolution, proved that they stand by the revolution and establishment.
“This shows the revolution is still thriving, and this is an important point,” he said.
“Sure enough, we have problems just like other nations across the world, and we are not going to forget about them,” he said.
“But the enemy is trying to turn a blind eye on all our advancements and major achievements carried out during the past 38 years and they are trying to make people disappointed,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
He praised the development of the country during the past four decades, saying some of the infrastructural advancements and big strides taken by Iran were impossible to achieve even over the ages.
“Today everybody acknowledges the dignity and power possessed by the Iranian people and everybody remains to believe that Iran has a significant role,” he said.
“In almost every regional issue, without Iran’s presence and will, nothing is going to be done,” he said.
