Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei appeared among and delivered an address to a glorious, passionate, meaningful and innumerable crowd of appreciative people on Monday, marking the 29th anniversary of the departure of the late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini. He elaborated on the characteristics of Imam Ali (Peace be Upon Him) and the similarities between the personality of the great late Imam and these victory-delivering and honor-bestowing features. Ayatollah Khamenei explicated the seven main behavioral and administrative exemplary traits of late Imam Khomeini in countering the enemies and driving the Islamic Establishment forward. He stressed, “After the great Imam, we have continued and will carefully follow the same path and example, and by the grace of God and through reliance on the faith, perseverance and vigilance of the nation and officials, we will foil the current enemy plot concerning ‘economic, psychological and practical pressure’.”      
In the ceremony, which was attended by the heads of the three branches of the government, officials of the country and ambassadors and representatives of foreign countries, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution described Imam Khomeini as the “symbol of the Revolution” and pointed to concurrence of the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Ali (PBUH) with the anniversary of the demise of the great leader of the Revolution. He reiterated, “The similarities between this sincere and true follower of Amir al-Mu'minin (Imam Ali) and the great and eminent leader is a source of honor for the Iranian nation and the Muslim Ummah, and attention to these similarities is important and useful for finding the right course and greater acquaintance with the late Imam.”   
He expressed the commonalities between the great Imam and Imam Ali under three rubrics. Explaining the first title, he said, “Amir al-Mu’minin had two apparently contradictory characteristics; on the one hand, ‘rigidity, steadfastness and vehemence’ against any wrong move and against oppressors and rioters and on the other hand ‘delicacy and tenderness’ in the face of divine memory and in encountering the oppressed, the underprivileged and the impoverished.”    
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution cited the resistance by Imam Ali (PBUH) against Mu'awiya bin Abi Sufyan, the first Umayyad caliph, some of the old and reputable but acquisitive disciples and Kharijites, a group of Muslims who rebelled against Imam Ali, as examples of the rigidity of Imam Ali. He added, “On the other hand, this great guardian chosen by God showed such delicacy and tenderness against orphans or the needy that astounded and bewildered people.”     
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that the late Imam also possessed these two characteristics, saying, “On the one hand, Imam Khomeini stood strong like a solid boulder and mighty mountain against the tyrannical and decadent Pahlavi regime, the US, the aggressor [regime of] Saddam [Hussein, the executed Iraqi dictator] and even against his old student and friend who had been stricken by unrighteous conduct, but in the face of the message of the devotion and sacrifice of a martyr’s mother or in defense of the destitute and the deprived he would feel sorrow and tender-hearted.”    
Explicating the second title of the astounding characteristics of Imam Ali, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed to the three apparently incompatible traits of “robustness, maltreatment and ultimate victory.”  
He pointed to Imam Ali’s firm management in his very expansive government, adding, “Steely resolve, courage, art of militarism, powerful rhetoric and attractive rational are among the prominent signs of the might of Amir al-Mu’minin.”  
He cited the unfair slandering of the leader of the virtuous (Imam Ali) by the enemies and the jealous and the appalling behavior of earthly-minded individuals as signs of the mistreatment of Imam Ali, adding, “This ceaseless pressure and deep maltreatment was such that forced the patient and bounteous Imam to open his heart to wells.” 
Ayatollah Khamenei added, “Despite all this, the ultimate victory in this long and difficult standoff belonged to Imam Ali, because today his name, character, manners and justice-seeking is resplendent and prominent in the great horizons and the history of humankind, but there is no trace of his enemies.”  
Elaborating the similarities between the traits of the sincere follower of Imam Ali, namely the great founder of the Islamic Republic and the characteristics of Amir al-Mu’minin, he reiterated, “Through his exceptional might, Imam Khomeini also toppled a tyrannical, dictatorial and hereditary rule after two thousand years, defeated the US and foiled the objective of the architects of the imposed war [by Iraq in the 1980s], namely the uprooting of the Revolution and the Islamic Establishment.”
The Leader of the Revolution added, “At the same time, Imam Khomeini was also oppressed like his leader and the widespread, continuous and contemptuous enemy propaganda and some people’s behavior, which was not expected of them, were indicative of the mistreatment of the great leader of the Revolution, such that the signs of discontent can be seen and understood amid the robust and strong remarks of the Imam.”    
Ayatollah Khamenei added, “Indeed, the late Imam also enjoyed the third characteristic of Ami al-Mu’minin, namely the ultimate victory, and this triumph clearly shows itself in the consolidation, endurance, growth, development and progress of the Islamic Establishment.” 
The Leader of the Revolution reiterated, “Most of the wishes of Imam Khomeini were fulfilled during his blessed life and some of these objectives have materialized after his passing, among which are self-belief, self-sufficiency, scientific and technological advance, political progress and the expansion of Iran’s influence in West Asia and North Africa.”  
In the same regard, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed, “The other objectives and goals of our beloved Imam will also be achieved with God’s will and the Islamic Republic’s greatness and stature will grow day by day.”  
He said the actions of the enemies are not out of authority but due to panic and agitation, adding, “The beloved Iranian nation should know that the enemy is furious and agitated by its progress, greatness and steadfastness and is making some moves in a panic.”
Ayatollah Khamenei continued his remarks against the huge gathering of people on the anniversary of the demise of Imam Khomeini by expounding on the similarities between the front of the enemies of Imam Ali and the front of the enemies of the great Leader of the Revolution.
He added, “The leader of justice-seekers faced three fronts; ‘the despots,’ namely the arch-enemies and the opponents of the very essence of his government, ‘the unfaithful’ or the irresolute companions and ‘the renegades’ i.e. the imbeciles and foolish people whose leaders were traitors but they, under the illusion of obeying the Quran, stood up against the Quran incarnate, namely Amir al-Mu’minin.”   
Ayatollah Khamenei added, “The front of the enemies and opponents of the late Imam was also comprised of a combination of the same three groups: the despots, namely the US, the Zionist regime and their domestic affiliates that are hostile to the very principle of the Islamic Republic, the unfaithful or the disloyal and the weak companions who rose up against the Imam due to materialistic desires and the renegades who did not discern the righteousness of Imam’s movement through the lack of understanding of the condition of the country and not recognizing the enemy lineup.”   
He described the terrorist Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization as an example of the renegades, who due to the treachery of their chiefs and the ignorance and gullibility of the followers, engaged in vain enmity toward the Imam. 
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the victory of Imam Khomeini against these three fronts, adding, “These three groups have also lined up against the great legacy of Imam Khomeini, namely the Islamic Republic; this mixed front does, of course, create some problems and slows down or complicates the movement of the country but it is incapable and unable to prevent the progress of the nation.” 
Continuing, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution explained the behavioral pattern of the late Imam during his 10-year tenure at the helm of the Islamic Republic Establishment and outlined the seven main traits of this behavioral pattern.
Ayatollah Khamenei described “the brave and active confrontation with the enemies” as the first characteristic, saying, “The late Imam never grew passive in facing the enemies and always stood up to them actively and strongly.”
“Refraining from excitement driven by sentiments and devoid of wisdom” was the second feature that the Leader of the Revolution pointed out, adding, “Imam’s decisions were courageous and at the same time based on rational calculations.”  
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the third element of the behavioral pattern of the Imam, saying, “Whether during his campaigns or after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini always observed the priorities and focused on the main issue and never let marginal issues into his work domain.”
He cited “reliance upon the capabilities of the people, particularly the youth and optimism about the Iranian nation” and “distrusting and skepticism toward the enemy” as two other features in the conduct of the Imam, stressing, “The great Imam did not trust the enemy and its propositions even for a moment and considered the enemy as enemy in the true sense of the word.”   
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said “attention to the solidarity and unity of the nation and the rejection of any bipolarism and factionalization among the people” as among the other behavioral patterns of the Imam and concerning Imam Khomeini’s seventh behavioral pattern the Leader said, “Imam Khomeini had complete faith in the divine victory and pledge and believed that if a action is taken for the sake of God, no harm will come to it.”     
Concluding this discussion, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed, “After the late Imam, we have closely followed his path and by the grace of God, we will also do so in the future.”
He added, “With the power and strength given by God, we will not be afflicted with passivity and weakness and will rise up against the indulgence and bullying demands of the enemies, we will not make sentimental decisions and out of excitement and will not engage in marginal issues instead of core matters, we will identify our priorities with divine facilitation, we will trust the people and their capabilities, particularly the youth but will by no means trust the enemy, prohibit our beloved people from division and bipolarism and have confidence in the victories promised by God and we have no doubt that with this faith, motivation and hope, the Iranian nation will certainly emerge triumphant.”        
Continuing his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution elaborated on the enemy plot at the current juncture and stressed that this plot has the three components of “economic pressure, psychological pressure and practical pressure” and focuses on domination over the country. He said, “In this design, economic pressure will be implemented through sanctions and the prevention of the economic cooperation of [other] countries with Iran.”  
He reiterated, “Contrary to their false propaganda which claims that the target of the sanctions is the Iranian government, they have taken aim at the nation so that, through pressure on the people, they would force the Islamic Establishment to surrender to the bullying; however, the enemies have come to know neither the Iranian nation nor the Islamic Establishment; because, by the grace of God and with the endeavors of the officials and the people’s efforts, they will entirely fail in this part of their scheme.”
The Leader of the Revolution pointed to the second pillar of the enemy plot, namely psychological pressure and described this element as important, adding, “In this part of its design, the enemy seeks to turn the strong points of the Islamic Establishment and elements of national might into weak and challenging points so that the Iranian nation would grow skeptical and disappointed about these points.”
As an example, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution cited “nuclear advances” as one of the country’s technological and scientific points of strength and pride, saying, “The success of the country’s young scientists and experts in producing 20-percent enriched uranium in conditions where the other side had raised all kinds of conditions and problems for the provision of 20-percent uranium for medical uses, is a sign of scientific and technological prowess and a great national strong point, which became a source of dignity for the country.”      
Ayatollah Khamenei added, “Now, the enemy, through psychological and essential bids, seeks to transform this national strong suit into a challenging issue and make the nation pessimistic about it.”   
He described “missile might” as another strong point of the country and a contributor to the country’s “security,” adding, “Since we did not have defensive weapons and missile capability during the imposed war, from border cities to Tehran were under missile fire round-the-clock; however, today, through the efforts of young experts, we have turned into the top missile power in the region and the enemies knows that if it launches one missile, it will receive ten missiles in response.”    
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed, “The enemy has focused on this point of strength with a psychological operation and regrettably some inside the country have echoed it.” 
Ayatollah Khamenei said “international quest for justice” and support for downtrodden nations is one of the other strong suits of the Islamic Republic, adding, “Whereas, support for Palestine and resistance forces against the Zionist regime and protection of the independence and territorial integrity of regional countries is a source of prestige for the Islamic Republic, the enemy seeks turn it into a challenging issue under the title of ‘Iran’s interference in the region’.”  
He pointed to the harmony of some domestic elements with the enemy in this regard, adding, “These elements, who chanted the slogan of ‘neither Gaza, nor Lebanon’ a few years ago in Tehran and in the Quds Day rallies, are inferior creatures and contributors to the enemy’s psychological warfare and this is a source of humiliation for them.”  
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed to another instance of the enemy’s psychological operation, saying, “Foreigners and some inside the country make it appear that war will break out if Iran does not agree to a defective form of the JCPOA (the 2015 Iran nuclear deal named as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) which they seek to impose; no, this is a lie.”    
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed to the comments of some European officials, saying, “It appears that these governments expect that the Iranian nation endure sanctions and give up nuclear activities, which are the definitive need of Iran’s future, and also keep up with the restrictions imposed on Iran; however, they should know that this wild pipe dream will not come true.” 
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed, “The Iranian nation and government will not tolerate being under sanctions and restrictions as well as in nuclear confinement.” 

He instructed the officials of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran to swiftly make necessary preparations to increase the country’s uranium enrichment capacity to 190,000 separative work units (SWUs) within the framework of the JCPOA, for now, and start making arrangements for the implementation of issues ordered by the president from tomorrow. 
Summing up the discussions about the psychological operation element of the enemy, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution reiterated, “Through psychological warfare, they seek to have us relinquish our strong points and elements of national might, so that foreigners would be able to dominate our country, nation, fate and future; however, the Iranian nation is standing up against this move.” 
Ayatollah Khamenei cited “practical pressure” as the third ingredient of the current enemy plan to counter the great Iranian nation, adding, “The categorical agenda of the enemy is to create turmoil in the country by exploiting popular demands; however, they will certainly fail.”   
Further explaining this insidious plot, the Leader of the Revolution added, “Workers or other people may have some demands in one area or city; in these cases, the enemy will seek to turn the calm gathering of the people into a security-jeopardizing and chaotic move with a few infiltrators, evil individuals and outlaws and tarnish the image of the Establishment and the people.”    
Ayatollah Khamenei strongly urged the people to remain fully vigilant in the face of this enemy plot, stressing, “I firmly believe that the enemies have again made a mistake this time and the beloved people will stand up to this design and plot with power, courage and wisdom.”  
He described as very important the presence of the people on the scene and pointed to the staging of International Quds Day ceremonies on the coming Friday, adding, “With the grace of God and under the auspices of the passionate turnout of the people, Quds Day this year will be held more strongly and fervidly than the previous years.”
At the end of his speech, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution addressed the proud Arab youths of the region in Arabic, saying, “Today is the day for your action and move and you should prepare yourself for the progress, independence and freedom of your countries.”  
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the ignominy and humiliation of some Arab governments against the US and the lack of adoption of a firm stance against the Zionist enemy, adding, “Some Arab governments have now turned into the enemies of their nations and under such circumstances it is the responsibility of zealous Arab youths to disrupt this false equation.”
He stressed that the future belongs to the youths and they must prepare themselves for the future through action and innovation, saying, “If the future is properly built, all of the Muslim and Arab nations, particularly their youths, will certainly benefit from it.”
Addressing the youths of Muslim countries, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said, “Do not fear the hollow grandeur of the infidel front and have strong faith in the divine pledge of victory.”
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the upcoming International Quds Day, stressing, “Turning out in these rallies and defending the resilient, striving and oppressed people of Palestine is in fact an important step toward building a better future.” 
In conclusion, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution prayed for the success of the youth of Muslim states and the continuation of the path of resistance.