Leader: People of diverse political and religious beliefs stood by Iran during Israeli and American aggression

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with the head and staff members of the Judiciary in Tehran.

People with different religious beliefs, as well as diverse—even opposing—political perspectives, stood side by side, creating a great sense of national unity, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader emphasized that all segments of society, including journalists, judges, government officials, and clerics, have a responsibility to safeguard and preserve this national unity. For this purpose, he added, disputes over insignificant issues should be avoided.

“It is essential to clarify [facts] and dispel misconceptions, but bringing up unnecessary criticisms, debating them, and stirring up controversy over minor issues is harmful. Even exposing a fallacy should be done in the best possible way so that no problems arise for the country,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader also praised the Iranian people for their strong determination and confidence to defend the country during the 12-day war, which Israel launched on June 13 and the United States joined on June 22.

The U.S. bombed three major Iranian nuclear sites, prompting a retaliatory missile strike by the Armed Forces that targeted an American airbase in Qatar.

Ayatollah Khamenei said that Iran’s strike on the U.S. base was a “very sensitive blow,” as the attacked site was a highly critical U.S. facility in the West Asia region.

“When news censorship is lifted, it will become clear how big Iran’s blow was,” he said, adding that the Islamic Republic is capable of delivering even greater blows to “America and others.”

The Leader also praised the missile and drone attacks that the Iranian Armed Forces conducted on Israeli targets during the war, in response to the regime’s aggression.

He said that Iran’s response was so strong and decisive that it forced the Israeli regime to seek help from the United States.

“If the Zionist regime had been capable of defending itself, it would not have turned to the United States for help in this way, but it realized that it could not stand up to the Islamic Republic,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

He further said the aggressors had thought that the Islamic Republic would collapse if they provoked the Iranian people to take to the streets following attacks on key sites and the assassination of top officials; however, their calculations proved wrong thanks to the unity and courage of the Iranian people.  

“In practice, the exact opposite of the enemy’s plans transpired,” he said.  

The high national morale and determination are precisely what make Iran great and enable it to achieve its goals, Ayatollah Khamenei noted, emphasizing that both enemies and friends of Iran must understand that the Iranian nation will never appear weak in any arena.

“We possess all the necessary means, be it logic or military power. Therefore, we will enter any arena, whether diplomatic or military, fully prepared,” the Leader said.