In his first public address since Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized the presence of American and European nations in the Middle East, blaming them for fueling conflicts and instability in the region. However, Khamenei made no direct mention of the missile attack during his remarks.
Speaking to the Iranian public, Khamenei said that the influence of foreign powers is a source of “conflicts, wars, concerns, and enmities.” He expressed confidence that regional nations can manage their own affairs without external intervention, saying, “Regional nations can manage themselves and… they will live together in peace,” according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency.
Khamenei also emphasized Iran’s hope for removing what he called the “enemies’ evil,” referring to Western nations’ influence in the region, urging them to “cut their badness.”
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For years, Iran has viewed the presence of U.S. military forces in neighboring countries, particularly Iraq, as a threat to its national security. Tehran has frequently called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region, asserting that their presence exacerbates regional tensions.
Khamenei made the remarks whilst addressing Iranian elites and students. In his remarks, Khamenei also expressed sorrow over the death of terrorist Hasan Nasrallah.
Khamenei’s remarks come amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, following the recent missile attacks, further underscoring Iran’s stance against foreign intervention in the Middle East. The Iranian Supreme Leader’s comments reflect longstanding Iranian concerns over Western influence and its desire for greater autonomy for Middle Eastern nations. However, Iran’s desire isn’t shared by many players in the region. Many Islamic nations, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, want American presence in the region, to ensure that the balance of power remains stable.
