'America the great Satan': Iran revives Khomeini's warning
Key Takeaways
- Ahmad Khomeini repeated the founder's description of America as the "Great Satan" during anniversary commemorations in Tehran.
- Hundreds of thousands reportedly attended ceremonies at Ayatollah Khomeini's mausoleum.
- Iranian leaders urged unity and resilience, linking Khomeini's legacy to current regional challenges.
Khomeini's grandson links recent attacks to the founder's criticism of the United States during Tehran commemoration
Iranian officials used the anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's death to repeat one of the founder's most well-known political messages as thousands gathered in Tehran on Thursday.
Hundreds of people gathered at Khomeini's mausoleum, waving Iranian flags and taking part in ceremonies marking the 37th anniversary of his passing. A memorial chair honouring the late leader was also displayed.
During the event, Ahmad Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic, referenced recent attacks while recalling his grandfather's views on the United States.
“Imam Khomeini called America the Great Satan. We witnessed this in the explosions at Minab School, in the martyrdom of our children, and in the killing of the father of our Ummah,” he said.
The commemoration also featured a message from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, which was read by Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari, a representative of the Supreme Leader.
The message said Iran's enemies were attempting to weaken public resilience and influence decision-making by spreading fear and division.
“In confronting these malicious intentions, everyone must neutralise these plots through steadfastness, awareness, unity, cohesion, mutual trust, and by refusing to echo the enemy’s narrative,” the message said.
Hundreds of thousands of people reportedly travelled from across Iran to attend the ceremony honouring Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution and established the Islamic Republic before his death on June 3, 1989, at the age of 89.
The event took place amid continuing tensions following the Minab school attack, which killed around 170 people, many of them children. Iran blamed the United States and Israel for the strike. Israel said it was unaware of any operations in the area, while US Central Command chief General Brad Cooper stated on May 19 that the school was located inside an active cruise missile base.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
