Imam Khamenei: Americans failed in past due to flawed planning, today too they will fail

On morning, on the anniversary of the historic uprising of the people of Qom on 19 Dey 1356 (January 9, 1978), the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met with thousands of Qom residents.

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پنجشنبه - ۱۲ فروردين ۲۰۲۶ / 2026 12 January

AhlulBayt News Agency: On morning, on the anniversary of the historic uprising of the people of Qom on 19 Dey 1356 (January 9, 1978), the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met with thousands of Qom residents.

He described the miscalculations of the corrupt Pahlavi regime and its main backer, the United States, as the cause of their defeat at the hands of the Iranian nation, and emphasized: Today as well, the Iranian nation—which, thanks to the Islamic Republic, is far stronger than at that time in terms of soft power, spirituality, and hard equipment—will defeat the arrogant America afflicted with miscalculations. The powerful Islamic system, which came to power through the blood of several hundred thousand noble martyrs, will not back down in the face of thoughtless, riotous elements who engage in destruction.

Referring to some destructive incidents in the country, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: There are individuals whose work is destruction; just as last night in Tehran and some other places, a handful of hirelings damaged buildings belonging to their own country in order to please the President of the United States.

Imam Khamenei added: If he [the US President] can, he should go manage his own country, which is entangled in various crises. In the 12-Day War, his hands were stained with the blood of more than a thousand Iranians, and he admitted, “I gave the order to attack.” Then this same person claims that he supports the Iranian people.

Emphasizing that the Islamic Republic came to power through the blood of several hundred thousand noble people and will not yield to vandals, he said: The Islamic Republic does not tolerate being a mercenary for foreigners, and the Iranian nation likewise rejects mercenaries of foreign powers, whoever they may be.

Regarding the US President, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated: That person who speaks and judges the whole world with arrogance and conceit should know that the despots and arrogant tyrants of history—such as Nimrod, Pharaoh, Reza Khan, and Mohammad Reza Pahlavi—were overthrown when they were at the height of their pride, and he too will be overthrown.

In another part of his remarks, Imam Khamenei described the policies and miscalculations of the Pahlavi regime and the United States as the groundwork for the crushing uprising of the people of Qom, adding: Ten days before the uprising of the noble people of Qom, the US President, while in Tehran, called Iran under the Pahlavi era an “island of stability” and praised the dependent Pahlavi regime, demonstrating that he did not know the Iranian nation.

Explaining historical realities and truths, and pointing to the persistence of America’s deep miscalculations toward the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic, he emphasized: These same errors led America to defeat then, and today too it will gain nothing but defeat.

Elaborating on the “lessons and causes of the victory of the Qom uprising and the Iranian nation in overthrowing the Pahlavi regime,” the Leader added: At that time, the Iranian nation did not possess hard weapons such as cannons and tanks, but it was equipped with soft power—which is decisive in all arenas. He cited faith in Islam, religious zeal, faith-based commitment, a sense of responsibility and duty, and love for Iran as the elements of the Iranian nation’s soft power in confronting the Pahlavi puppet regime, adding: The people saw that Americans, their mercenaries, and those affiliated with the Zionists were ruling their country, and these realities made them angry, outraged, and repelled.

Explaining the results of the Iranian nation’s resistance to America’s arrogance, the Leader emphasized: Today, the proud Iranian nation is stronger, more cohesive, and more prepared than that period in terms of soft and spiritual power, and in terms of hard power its situation is not even comparable to that day.

He cited developments in Latin America as an example of America’s efforts to seize nations’ resources, saying: They blockade a country and shamelessly say we did this for oil. Just as before the Revolution, Iran’s oil and resources were in the hands of the arrogant powers, the Zionists, and their agents.Recalling the continuous hostility of Americans toward the Islamic Republic, Imam Khamenei added: By God’s grace, the Islamic system has grown stronger day by day, and their conspiracies to eliminate the system have failed, such that today—contrary to their wishes—the Islamic Republic stands powerful, dignified, and respected in the world.

He described the reason for the enemy’s failure, despite employing all forms of aggression and mercenary recruitment, as the governance of the Islamic Republic, saying: If a liberal-democratic, monarchical, or dependent government had ruled Iran, it could not have withstood these pressures; but the Islamic and popular system has enabled Iran to achieve major advances in science and technology, international policy, and many other fields.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution completely rejected the claim that Iran is isolated, adding: These claims, which originate from foreigners and are followed by some inside the country as well, are in fact self-deception, because today’s Iran is recognized in the world as an independent, courageous country with a future. He identified youth as the source of many of the country’s activities and advances, saying: Overall, contrary to the enemy’s lies, the young generation is among Iran’s greatest assets.

Imam Khamenei described the enemy’s effort as portraying and constructing an image of the Iranian youth as deviant, Western-dependent, turned away from religion, corrupt, and weak-spirited, adding: This image is one hundred percent false. The Iranian youth is brave in war, clear-sighted in politics, knows the true intentions of America, and is committed in religious matters. He also cited the central role of youth in the country’s research and scientific progress—from launching satellites into space to the nuclear industry, stem cells, nanotechnology, and pharmaceuticals—as further manifestations of the Iranian youth’s readiness to play a leading role in any arena where it is needed.

At the end, Imam Khamenei emphasized: A united and cohesive nation overcomes every enemy, and God willing, soon the feeling of victory will surge in the hearts of all the Iranian people.