• Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei addresses a massive gathering in Tehran on the occasion of the Iranian New Year. (khamenei.ir)

Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei delivered a stern warning to the United States, vowing that any act of aggression against Iran would be met with a forceful and decisive response.

Addressing a massive gathering in Tehran on the occasion of the Iranian New Year, Sayyed Khamenei spoke before thousands of Iranian people from all walks of life, directly cautioning Washington, "The US continues to issue threats, but they must understand that we have never been the instigators of conflict with anyone. However, if they commit a hostile act and provoke a confrontation, they should be prepared to face severe and crushing blows."

هم‌اکنون؛ ورود رهبر انقلاب اسلامی به حسینیه امام خمینی(ره) و آغاز سخنرانی نوروزی حضرت آیت‌الله خامنه‌ای در جمع اقشار مختلف مردم.

اول فروردین ۱۴۰۴؛ حسینیه امام خمینی(ره) تهران

پخش مستقیم:https://t.co/dZ6eKse0YY pic.twitter.com/dV8SLWTRg6

— KhameneiNews (@khameneinews) March 21, 2025

"The US must know that when facing Iran, threats will never achieve anything," he stressed.

Sayyed Khamenei further cautioned that threats against Iran would prove ineffective and that any reckless action toward the Iranian people would be met with a decisive and forceful response.

Imam Khamenei delivered his annual speech on the first day of the 1404 Iranian new year (March 21, 2025) in Tehran in the presence of thousands of people from various walks of life.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 21, 2025

He reaffirmed Iran's defensive stance, making it clear that the country does not seek war, but if provoked, it would retaliate with full strength. Khamenei also emphasized the unwavering resilience of the Iranian people, underscoring their firm support for the system and their ability to withstand external attempts to undermine them.

Dismissing claims that Iran controls regional armed groups, Sayyed Khamenei stated that Iran has no proxies in the region, and all resistance forces act independently.

Yemen acts independently, not on Iran’s behalf 

Turning to Yemen, he stressed that the Yemeni people pursue their own aspirations and operate autonomously, much like other factions within the resistance axis.

Sayyed Khamenei emphasized that Yemen stands against the injustices committed by the Zionist regime, rejecting claims that it acts on behalf of Iran. "Their [foreign powers’] major mistake is thinking that Yemen is doing this on Iran’s behalf. No, absolutely not!" he asserted.

He further highlighted Yemen’s historical stance, stating, "When Palestine was first occupied, one of the countries that stood at the front line in opposing the occupation was Yemen."

"US & European politicians are making a big mistake by labeling the centers of Resistance in the region Iran’s proxy forces. They’re insulting them. The people of Yemen have their own reasons, & the centers of Resistance in the countries of the region have their own reasons,"  he stressed.

The Iranian leader also noted growing global opposition to the Zionist regime’s actions, remarking, "Today, nations [worldwide] are of course opposed to the maliciousness being carried out by the Zionist regime, and they show their resistance in any way they can, and the Islamic Republic stands firmly against these acts of aggression."

Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated his conviction that truth will ultimately triumph over falsehood, declaring, "In this struggle, the path of justice will inevitably prevail, though it may come at a cost. Through unwavering steadfastness and determined resistance, the corrupt and tyrannical Zionist entity will inevitably face its demise."

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