Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei reported in his annual message before Hajj that "the Arrogant West is getting weaker and weaker in our sensitive region and recently in the entire world."

The leader of the Islamic Republic began his lecture by calling for Muslim unity and awakening in the face of foes.

“The unity of the Muslim nation is one of the two basic foundations of the Hajj Pilgrimage,” his message read, according to the Press TV website.

He highlighted the “extensive” efforts of enemies to “weaken the two life-giving elixirs of Islamic unity and spirituality," and dubbed “promoting a western lifestyle” as a tool that enemies typically use.

'The model of power' 

Khamenei further noted that this Islamic self-awareness has led to the creation of a “wondrous, miraculous phenomenon” of “Resistance”. 

He went on to name Palestine as one of the manifestations of Resistance as it has been able to “bring down the rebellious Zionist regime from its state of aggression and howling to a defensive, passive stance.”

Read next: Iran FM details Iran initiative on Palestine referendum

Hailing the “proud model of power and political Islamic governance in Islamic Iran," Sayyed Khamenei said the “stability, independence, progress, and honor” of the Islamic Republic is attracting the thoughts of “every conscious Muslim.”

'sovereignty above all' 

According to the leader, “the sovereignty of Islam in the legislative and executive branches of governance, reliance on the vote of the people in the country's most important administrative matters, [and] complete political independence and a refusal to rely on any oppressive powers” are among the basic principles in the Islamic Republic.

This tendency in the Islamic world, Khamenei added, is a matter of concern for arrogant powers, who will "employ all their resources" to combat it. Soft warfare, seduction, intimidation, and the criminal Zionist regime were all mentioned as weapons employed by foes "to combat the Islamic awakening."

Read next: Iran backs Palestinian resistance, condemns normalization: Khamenei

Noting that enemies’ efforts “have failed in most cases," he added, “the arrogant West has become weaker by the day in our sensitive region and, more recently, throughout the whole world.” 

The Islamic Revolution leader emphasized that the failure of the US and Israeli regimes is obvious. “The distress and failure of the United States and its criminal accomplice, the usurper [Zionist] regime in the region, can clearly be seen,” he said.