Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on August 24 that the United States’ hostility towards Iran over the past 45 years stems from its desire to force the Iranian nation and government into submission, accusing Washington of abandoning its previous pretences and revealing its true intentions, his official website reported.

Speaking to thousands of citizens gathered in Tehran on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Reza, Khamenei said that while past US administrations masked their animosity under the guise of promoting democracy, human rights, and counter-terrorism, the current leadership (in reference to former President Donald Trump) had openly declared, “We want Iran to obey us.”

“This is not about changing behaviour,” Khamenei said. “It is about demanding obedience from a proud nation with a rich history and dignity.”

He criticised those who advocate for direct negotiations with the United States, calling them superficial in their understanding of the deeper strategic aims behind American pressure. “These issues cannot be resolved while the real objective remains domination,” he added.

Khamenei described recent US and Israeli actions, including military confrontations, as part of a broader campaign to weaken Iran.

Israel attacked Iran in mid-June and triggered a 12-day war that also saw the US strike Iranian nuclear sites. The hostilities ended with a US-brokered ceasefire on June 24.

He claimed that Israel, with US backing, had attempted to “finish off” the Islamic Republic, but was met with fierce resistance from the Iranian people and armed forces.

“The enemy miscalculated,” he said. “They did not expect the people to stand firm and deliver a blow that would force them to retreat.”

Ayatollah Khamenei reappeared in public after a prolonged absence that had fuelled speculation about his whereabouts, particularly in light of reported Israeli threats against his life.

His remarks come amid heightened tensions between Iran and Western powers, as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation.

Khamenei warned that Iran’s adversaries, having failed to subdue the country through war, were now seeking to sow internal divisions. He called on citizens, officials, and intellectuals to preserve the “steel shield of national unity” and resist efforts to undermine the Islamic Republic’s foundations.

While acknowledging the legitimacy of diverse opinions, he cautioned against criticism that damages the ideological pillars of the state. “Constructive ideas are welcome,” he said, “but destruction serves only the enemy’s agenda.”

The remarks followed recent proposals from reformist factions advocating for fundamental shifts in the Islamic Republic’s governing framework, including calls for a national referendum and a reorientation of foreign policy.