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Iran's leader urges high turnout in elections; calls it main pillar

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Feb 2024 23:30

Sayyed Ali Khamenei calls on the Iranian people to maintain national unity against enemies working against the country.

Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, in 2020 (AP)

Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei called on Sunday all the country's citizens to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, stressing that elections are the core pillar of the Islamic Establishment.

Sayyed Khamenei made the remarks during a meeting with a group from East Azerbaijan province on the occasion of the uprising of the people of Tabriz in 1987.

Addressing the occasion, he said that it was then a continuation of the Qom uprising, which took place only 40 days prior, noting that both significant events contributed to the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

On the upcoming elections on March 1, which would also include voting on the Assembly of Experts, the Iranian leader underscored that elections are the way to improve the country and that the national unity of the Iranian people in the face of the enemies must not be affected by political differences.

"For those who are seeking to solve the problems, the way to do this is the elections," Sayyed Khamenei said.

He emphasized that both the "arrogant powers" and the United States are against the Islamic Iranian Republic and the large-scale participation of the Iranian nation in elections.

"A US president once called on the Iranian nation to boycott elections. In opposition to him, people participated with even more enthusiasm. After that they stopped saying this directly, but they still try to distance people from the elections using various methods," the leader said.

In other parts of his speech, Sayyed Khamenei urged the public to maintain national unity and back the country's officials, stating that everyone should understand that fulfilling these responsibilities is a form of resistance against the enemy.

He also emphasized that an important factor in achieving victory is "knowing the enemy and their capabilities, but without being afraid of them. If you fear them, you have been defeated."

"One should not be afraid of the enemy's threats, howls, and the pressures they bring," noting that this comes due to the progress the Islamic Revolution is making. He added that Iran must be proactive in facing off the enemies of the country.